Pompeo: Not Cold War 2.0 – CCP Threat Worse than Soviet Union

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "What's happening now isn't Cold War 2.0", as the threat China poses to Western countries is in some ways "worse" than that posed by the former Soviet Union.

Addressing the Czech Senate on his first stop of the five-day visit to Central Europe on Wednesday, August 12, Pompeo spoke about "the challenge of resisting the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] threat is in some ways worse" than that during the cold war, because “the CCP is already enmeshed in our economies, in our politics, in our societies in ways the Soviet Union never was.”

In his speech, he recalled the years of Soviet suppression of the Czech Republic. While Russia continues to "undermine" Czech democracy and security using disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks, Pompeo believes that China would pose an even greater threat because of her "campaigns of coercion of control". As an example, he cited the cancellation of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra's concert tour in China due to Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib's pro-Taiwan policies, arguing that this shows that “the CCP leverages economic power to coerce countries".

Pompeo also mentioned that during the Cold War, the Czech Republic, "and others that suffered behind the Iron Curtain, know best of all how deeply communists plunge societies into ruin and repression". He urged Czech senators to "stand up for the sovereignty and freedoms" that the Czech people demanded for their country between 1968 and 1989.

Source: Stand News #Aug13
#US #China #CzechRepublic #SovietUnion #ColdWar #Pompeo #Diplomacy #History #ForeignInfluence

China Relations Sour as Czech Senate President Visits Taiwan, Beijing Buyer Cancels Order for Czech Pianos

With China angered over a recent visit to Taiwan by the president of the Czech senate Miloš Vystrčil and his delegation, a Chinese buyer cancelled a 5.3-million Czech koruna (approxmiately 1.8-million Hong Kong dollar) order with the Czech piano manufacturer Petrof, the Czech News Agency reported.

Commenting on Vystrčil’s visit to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said earlier that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. Those who challenge the “One China” principle, he said, are making themselves enemies of the 1.4 billion Chinese people and are going to pay a heavy price. The Czech foreign ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador for an explanation.

Citing an announcement by Petrof’s CEO Zuzana Ceralová Petrofová, foreign media reported that a buyer from Beijing cancelled a close deal with the piano manufacturer because of Vystrčil’s visit. With rumours of the Chinese government placing sanctions on Czech imports going around, the buyer was worried that he could not afford the fine and decided to cancel his order.

A renowned instrument brand, Petrof makes 35% of its revenue from sales in China. The report quoted the manufacturer as voicing concerns for the impact on its operation in China should the country’s relations with the Czech Republic continue to worsen. It is also unsure as to whether its employees will be given visas to attend the International Instrument Exhibition, which will take place in Shanghai next month.

Source: Stand News #Sep05

#CzechRepublic #Taiwan #China #Petrof #Vystrčil #Diplomacy #Trade

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