In a statement provided by the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal Government stated that representatives of the Prague City Council deliberately violated the sister pact as they were grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs.
“As the political premises for the partnership between the two cities no longer exist, the Beijing Municipality hereby declares that the City of Beijing terminates the sister pact with the City of Prague, effective immediately,” the Office wrote.
Earlier this week, the Prague City Council also decided to terminate the memorandum between Prague and Beijing. According to the Prague Councilors, the reason was the unwillingness of China to renegotiate the deletion of the clause on recognition of the “One China” policy.
On Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic criticized the Councilors´ decision. According to the Embassy, termination of the pact resulted in a breach of trust in Chinese-Czech relations. Ambassador Zhang Jianmin then urged the Prague Municipality to change its approach towards China.
In the past, the dispute between Prague and Beijing resulted, among other things, in postponing or canceling of performances of several Czech ensembles in China. The most likely reason was an earlier statement by Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib who requested the removal of the “One China” policy clause in the sister-city partnership pact.
Czech Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek also intervened in the dispute between the Chinese ambassador to the Czech Republic and Prague City Council, and he warned that statements by the Chinese ambassador damage the image of China in Czechia.
