Czech Speaker Okamura to Visit China in Diplomatic Thaw
The Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, will lead a parliamentary delegation to China from July 20 to 24 at the invitation of Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday. The visit marks a significant step in the warming of bilateral relations under the Czech Republic’s new coalition government.
Okamura, who also leads the far-right SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) party, will be accompanied by Renata Vesecká, chair of the Chamber’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, along with business representatives and a deputy foreign minister. The delegation is scheduled to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu between July 19 and 25, according to Czech government flight schedules.
A Shift Toward Pragmatic Diplomacy
The visit represents a clear recalibration of Czech foreign policy following the formation of a new coalition government in December 2025 under Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The previous administration, led by Petr Fiala, maintained strong ties with Taiwan — a stance that drew repeated criticism from Beijing for violating the “One China” principle.
Prime Minister Babiš has stated that his government will not pursue “value-based foreign policy,” arguing that such an approach brought nothing to the Czech Republic. Foreign Minister Petr Macinka announced the intention to restore standard-level relations with Beijing earlier this year, signaling a pragmatic turn in Prague’s approach to China.
The shift has already had concrete consequences. The government denied Senate President Miloš Vystrčil the use of a government aircraft for a planned trip to Taiwan in 2026, citing Czech economic interests in mainland China — a decision Vystrčil criticized, noting that Taiwanese investments in the Czech Republic remain “higher and more valuable” than Chinese ones.
Economic Priorities: Tourism and Trade
Economic cooperation and tourism promotion are at the forefront of Okamura’s agenda. The speaker, who previously served as vice-president of the Association of Czech Travel Agencies and has a background in the tourism industry, has been a vocal advocate for increasing Chinese tourist arrivals.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists ranked first in per-person daily spending in the Czech Republic. Okamura has estimated that increasing Chinese tourist numbers could generate 1 billion Czech koruna (approximately $43 million) annually in VAT revenue alone.
A key item on the agenda is visa liberalization for Czech citizens traveling to China. The Czech Republic is one of only two European Union countries whose citizens still require visas to visit China. Okamura has also discussed the possibility of establishing a direct flight route between the two countries, following a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Feng Piao in late April.
Espionage Case Adds Diplomatic Complexity
The visit unfolds against the backdrop of a sensitive diplomatic incident. A Czech citizen — reportedly a businessman active in China — was detained by Chinese security forces at an airport in late June and is being investigated on suspicion of “offences endangering national security,” China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on July 16.
Czech media reported that intelligence services had anticipated Beijing might detain a Czech national to exchange for Yang Yiming, a Chinese journalist arrested in Prague in January on charges of conducting “unauthorized activity for a foreign power.” China has demanded Yang’s release, calling the charges “trumped-up.”
Foreign Minister Macinka has insisted the two cases are “absolutely isolated and mutually unrelated.” A deputy foreign minister will be part of Okamura’s delegation and could potentially discuss the matter during the visit.
Analysis: A Strategic Realignment
The visit signals China’s successful leveraging of the change in Czech government to reset relations. The invitation extended by Zhao Leji — the third-highest ranking official in China’s political hierarchy — underscores the importance Beijing places on this relationship.
For the Czech Republic, the pragmatic turn reflects a broader trend among some European Union member states seeking to balance economic interests with geopolitical considerations. As a Central European manufacturing hub with significant automotive and industrial sectors, the Czech Republic has economic interests that align with China’s investment strategies in the region.
What to Watch For
Observers will be watching for concrete outcomes from the visit, including potential announcements on visa liberalization, direct flight agreements, or bilateral trade deals. The espionage case may also feature in discussions, though both sides appear committed to maintaining diplomatic momentum. The visit’s reception within Czech domestic politics — particularly from pro-Taiwan factions in the Senate and opposition — will be an important indicator of how sustainable this policy shift proves to be.