Message from the President of the Senate

Today, the Czech Republic needs partnerships that are not founded merely on the simple exchange, sale, or purchase of goods, but also on the sharing of modern technologies, on trust, and on a shared ability to succeed in global competition. Trade and cooperation should likewise be built on a relationship in which both sides are equal partners, and in which neither side places the other in a position of technological, product, or raw-material dependence.

This is precisely why I regard relations with Taiwan as exceptionally important. Taiwan is a partner that combines technological excellence, industrial experience, and the ability to translate research swiftly into practical solutions. At the same time, the Czech Republic has much to offer in return: strong engineering, high-quality technical education, research capacity, and an industrial tradition that has proven itself on European markets. At a time when increasing attention is being paid to technological security, the resilience of supply chains, and Europe’s strategic autonomy, this partnership is becoming even more significant.

I am convinced that our cooperation should be as practical as possible. It is not enough to speak about innovation in general terms; we must identify the specific sectors in which genuine added value can be created. Alongside semiconductors, electronics, automation, and the digitalisation of industry, I currently see particularly strong potential in two areas: energy and the aerospace industry, especially in the field of unmanned technologies and drones. These are fields in which companies, research institutions, and public bodies can be meaningfully connected. It is precisely here that cooperation can emerge which leads to concrete projects, investment, and new technological solutions.

At the same time, it is important to proceed realistically. Success does not arise automatically simply because we meet at a single trade fair or during one visit. A genuine partnership is built over time, with purpose, and with a clear understanding of who can cooperate with whom and on what. In some segments, it is also evident that entering the Taiwanese market requires long-term preparation, strong local partnerships, and the patient cultivation of trust. This makes it all the more important to support forms of cooperation grounded in joint research, development, technological partnership, and sustained institutional support.

For this reason, I attach great importance to cooperation among universities, research institutions, and technology companies. It is precisely there that ideas emerge which can be transformed into competitive products, new investment, and skilled jobs. The future of Czech-Taiwanese relations will not rest solely on the simple exchange of goods, but also on the exchange of knowledge, talent, and experience. The stronger the links among academia, research, and industry, the more enduring and strategic our partnership as a whole will become.

The Czech Republic can be a reliable technological partner for Taiwan, while also serving as a natural bridge into the broader European industrial environment. It is the task of public institutions and parliamentary diplomacy to create the conditions for this: to open doors, connect partners, foster trust, and provide support wherever administrative and institutional obstacles must be overcome. This is how strong relations are turned into a true strategic partnership. And this is how the Czech Republic and Taiwan can together help ensure that modern technologies serve not only economic growth, but also the stability, security, and prosperity of democratic societies.