The Czech government has dismissed speculation that the detention of a Czech citizen in China is connected to the espionage case involving a Chinese national being held in Czechia.
Reports emerged that a Czech citizen was arrested in China in late June and remains in custody. Media reports suggested Czech security authorities were considering the possibility that Beijing could seek to exchange the individual for Chinese journalist Yang Yi-min, who is being held on spying charges in Czechia.
However, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka rejected the suggestion that the two cases were related.
“I’m aware of speculation, particularly in the media, that is attempting to link this case with that of a Chinese citizen arrested in Prague. But I have to reject this. These two cases are not linked in any way whatever,” he said.
Detained man accused of endangering state security
According to media reports, the detained Czech citizen worked for Pardubice-based radar manufacturer Eldis, which is part of the Czechoslovak Group.
He was reportedly detained at an airport in China and has been accused of “endangering state security”.
The Czech Foreign Ministry said the man is being held at a facility operated by China’s Ministry of the Interior rather than in a prison.
Macinka said the government had limited information about the case, adding that the individual was not connected to any Czech state institution.
“We have no detailed information on the purpose of this person’s trip to China. It was his private, or business, trip. That’s why at the present time there are no reasons to change any consular recommendations,” he said.
Opposition urges caution over China travel
Czech intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned about security risks linked to China, although the current government has sought to improve bilateral ties after several years of strained relations.
A Czech delegation led by lower house speaker Tomio Okamura, accompanied by a deputy foreign minister, is scheduled to visit China this weekend.
Opposition parties have urged Okamura to cancel the trip following the detention.
Former foreign minister Jan Lipavský said that if the detention was intended to facilitate an exchange involving the Chinese suspect, the government should warn Czech citizens about the potential risks of travelling to China.
“If it’s true that they have arrested this Czech citizen in order to exchange him for a Chinese spy, then Czechs should be told by the government that travel to China is risky, because they could be taken hostage,” he said.
Okamura said he would be willing to raise the matter during his visit to China if requested.
