China cuts ties with Czech President Petr Pavel over Dalai Lama birthday visit
Beijing says it ‘lodged serious protests with the Czech side’ after Pavel left Japan to make private trip to see exiled spiritual leader
He added that China “strongly deplores and firmly opposes” the meeting and that Beijing had lodged serious protests with the Czech side.
“In light of the severity of Pavel’s provocative action, China [has decided] to cease all engagement with him.”
Pavel’s spokesman Filip Platos told Czech News Agency (CTK) last month: “On return from a working visit to Japan, the president took the opportunity to detach himself from the delegation to personally congratulate the Dalai Lama”.
The meeting marked the first time a sitting Czech president had met the Dalai Lama during his stay in India. Shortly after the meeting, the Chinese embassy in Prague said it “resolutely opposed” Pavel’s meeting and urged the Czech side to “abide by its one-China political commitment” and maintain healthy and stable relations.