China cuts off contacts with President Paul after his meeting with the Dalai Lama

On 12 August 2025, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the suspension of all official contacts with Czech President Petr Pavel. According to ministry spokesman Lin Jian, the move is in response to the President's meeting with the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso on 27 July 2025 in India.

Lin Jian said that Beijing considers the meeting to be "serious violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity" and for acting contrary to the political commitment the Czech government has made to China. "Despite repeated protests and strong opposition from China, Czech President Petr Pavel went to India to meet with the Dalai Lama. This seriously contradicts the political commitment that the Czech government has made to the Chinese government and is detrimental to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the spokesman was quoted by the daily China Daily.

According to the Chinese embassy in Prague, Lin Jian also announced that this move would cut off all communication between Beijing and the Czech president.

Reaction of Prague Castle
The Office of the President of the Czech Republic responded on the social network X by saying that there is currently no direct communication between the Czech Republic and China at the presidential level. Thus, according to the Castle, Beijing's announcement does not represent a change in the status quo.

The Chinese government has long regarded the Dalai Lama as a separatist figure promoting Tibetan independence. Since his exile in 1959, Beijing has consistently opposed any official contacts between foreign officials and the Tibetan spiritual leader. In the past, some countries have faced diplomatic restrictions following similar meetings - for example, China suspended part of its bilateral relations with Mongolia in 2016 and criticised South Africa in 2011 for delaying a visa for the Dalai Lama, according to the BBC.

Relations between the Czech Republic and China have been volatile in recent years. Prague has sought to develop economic ties, especially in the area of trade and investment, but at the same time has taken steps that Beijing has criticised. These include, for example, the planned trip to Taiwan in 2020 by the then President of the Senate, Jaroslav Kubera, which was deemed unacceptable by China.

The broader Chinese position
Lin Jian's August 12, 2025, statement included other international topics. When asked by the Ukrinform News Agency on the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine crisis, the spokesman said China supports "all efforts leading to a peaceful settlement of the crisis" and hopes for "a just, lasting and binding peace agreement".

Lin Jian also commented on trade relations with the US, mentioning the 90-day extension of the ceasefire on tariffs and referring to the Commerce Department for further details (Reuters, 12 August 2025). This stance shows that Beijing combines pragmatism on economic issues with strong responses to political issues it considers crucial.

Possible impacts on Czech-Chinese relations
The interruption of contacts with President Paul may affect the overall relations between the two countries. Although the measure is aimed directly at the head of state, it may also affect diplomatic and economic cooperation at other levels. According to the Czech Statistical Office, bilateral trade between the Czech Republic and China will reach EUR 40 billion in 2024, with a significant part of Czech exports and imports tied to the Chinese market.

At the same time, the Czech Republic is committed to the principles of democracy and human rights, which may bring it into conflict with China's approach. Since taking office in 2023, President Pavel has repeatedly stressed the importance of these values. The decision to meet with the Dalai Lama may be seen as an endorsement of this line, albeit at the risk of limiting cooperation with Beijing.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry's announcement is a signal that Beijing continues to take a tough stance against contacts with the Dalai Lama and considers such actions an infringement on its sovereignty. The Czech government will have to decide in the coming weeks whether to take steps to ease tensions or to continue its current foreign policy line, even at the cost of limiting official communication with China.

gnews.cz - GH