TOPIC

/ location

Czech Republic

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Czech Republic. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Prague

Head of State

President Petr Pavel

Head of Government

Prime Minister Petr Fiala

Leader of the Czech Republic’s ANO party Andrej Babis looks on before a TV election debate in October in Prague, Czech Republic. Photo: AFP

European Union

Trump ally Babis returns as Czech PM amid fraud trial and EU concerns

His return raises concerns that his Eurosceptic coalition could restrict aid to Ukraine.

9 Dec 2025 - 6:03PM

Obituaries

Oscar-winning UK playwright Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

30 Nov 2025 - 2:14AM

Singapore

Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

23 Oct 2025 - 5:46PMvideocam

Ukraine

Czech Republic’s ‘Trumpist’ ex-PM wins election, putting Ukraine aid in doubt

Billionaire Andrej Babis’ victory could draw the country closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia, which oppose sanctions on Russia.

5 Oct 2025 - 1:14AM

ANO leader Andrej Babis speaks during a press conference at the party’s election headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

17 Sep 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

4 Sep 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

After The War | Love, hate and the post-war paradox of China-Japan relations

A popular film about the Nanking massacre marks the latest fraught chapter between countries that view each other with suspicion and affinity.

29 Aug 2025 - 11:20AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Why EU stance on Taiwan is a growing cause of concern for mainland China

Taiwan remains a red line for Beijing, but island’s informal EU ties are prompting worries that the bloc may backslide on one-China policy.

15 Aug 2025 - 11:00PMvideocam

China economy

China retail slowdown, Trump-Putin summit, Wang Yi visits India

This week: Weak retail sales stoke China economy concerns; Trump and Putin prepare for Alaska talks; US and China extend tariff truce by three months. Next week: Wang Yi visits India and Pakistan; Xiaomi posts earnings; Ronaldo may play in Hong Kong, and more.

15 Aug 2025 - 5:28PM

SCMP Highlights

Chinese families in ‘broken houses’; PLA’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From China sanctioning two European banks to a Chinese-owned aircraft detained in Russia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

13 Aug 2025 - 9:15PM

A file picture of the guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins, which has entered the South China Sea, according to the PLA Southern Theatre Command. Photo: Getty Images

Diplomacy

China cuts ties with Czech president over his birthday visit to Dalai Lama

Beijing says it ‘lodged serious protests with the Czech side’ after Pavel left Japan to make private trip to see exiled spiritual leader.

13 Aug 2025 - 10:39PMvideocam

China says it is cutting ties with Czech President Petr Pavel after he met the Dalai Lama on July 27 in Leh, Ladakh, India, as part of the exiled spiritual leader’s 90th birthday celebrations. Photo: Dalai Lama/Facebook

European Union

Europe’s ‘out of control’ wildfires hit tourism spots, forests

Europe battles record wildfires as a heatwave scorches Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, threatening towns, tourism, and ecosystems.

12 Aug 2025 - 9:03PM

China-EU relations

Slovak PM Fico to attend China’s WWII event amid EU tensions

Central European leader is first from the European bloc and Nato to confirm plans to be in Beijing for 80th anniversary commemoration.

4 Aug 2025 - 6:12PMvideocam

LGBTQ

Amsterdam Pride blends celebration and protest in LGBTQ show of solidarity

A record 260,000 people attended Pride in Germany’s Hamburg while in Prague the parade drew tens of thousands demanding equal rights.

3 Aug 2025 - 3:34AM

A person holds a sign as boats cruise canals during the annual Pride parade in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Von der Leyen deepens gloom over China-EU summit with attack on Russia stance

EU Commission chief accuses China of ‘unyielding support’ for Moscow and ‘flooding global markets’ ahead of major showdown this month.

8 Jul 2025 - 9:32PM

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament that China was “ de facto enabling Russia’s war economy”. Photo: EPA

Israel-Iran conflict

By air, land and sea, nations race to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran

Caught between warring nations, thousands of foreign nationals are being moved out of Israel and Iran in complex logistical operations.

20 Jun 2025 - 11:34AM

China-EU relations

A tale of two cities: why views of China differ so much in Barcelona and Prague

The stark contrast between Spain’s wish for close economic ties and Czech suspicion highlights the growing divide within the EU over China.

4 Jun 2025 - 12:27AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Russia alleges back-stabbing as Serbia’s arms reach Ukraine

Serbia’s position of neutrality questioned as Russia alleges secret arms shipments for Ukraine sent through intermediaries.

30 May 2025 - 1:51PM

Ukrainian servicemen train for combat. Photo: Ukraine’s 65th Mechanised Brigade via AP

China-EU relations

China accused of ‘malicious cyber campaign’ targeting Czech foreign ministry

Hackers linked to Chinese spy agency blamed for attack, which EU’s top diplomat calls an ‘unacceptable violation of international norms’.

28 May 2025 - 7:51PM

The Philippines

Philippines vows ‘Super Bowl’ of exercises in coming military drills

The exercises will feature ‘an interesting mix of equipment’, including the China-opposed Typhon missile system.

16 Apr 2025 - 1:05PMvideocam

United States

Rubio, Czech counterpart discuss Ukraine after Trump-Zelensky clash

Rubio and Lipavsky discuss US-Czech relations, Nato defence spending, and prospects for peace in Ukraine.

4 Mar 2025 - 11:11AM

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo: Reuters

Crime

Teenager kills 2 women in knife attack at Czech shop

Czech media said the teenager, 16, attacked a shop assistant at the counter and another worker in a service area of the shop.

20 Feb 2025 - 10:50PM

Police and ambulances at a a shopping area in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, where two women died after a knife attack on February 20, 2025. Photo: AP

European Union

Gas heater explodes at Czech restaurant, killing 6 in fire

The blaze, believed to have been sparked by a toppled propane cylinder, quickly engulfed the building.

13 Jan 2025 - 11:41AM

International Property

Chinese firms seek European base for factories amid trade tensions, tariffs

European industrial real estate developer CTP expects increased demand from Chinese firms that do not want to get caught in the trade war.

25 Dec 2024 - 2:00PM

Britain

UK approves Royal Mail takeover by Czech billionaire

Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group is taking over the parent company of the centuries-old Royal Mail in a deal worth US$4.5 billion.

16 Dec 2024 - 8:52PM

The UK government is clearing a Royal Mail takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Photo: Reuters

Mental health

Puppy love as Czech prison inmates train assistance dogs

The training is part of a project to help inmates at the Jirice prison northeast of Prague be better prepared for life outside jail.

6 Dec 2024 - 1:06AM

Zirkon and Zeus play. After a year, the prison sends the dogs back to an organisation which hands them over to people with visual impairments. Photo: AFP

Tourism

Sex workers and ex-addicts show tourists Czech capital’s dark side

Social enterprise Pragulic tackles ‘myth and prejudice’ around people living on Prague’s streets, using tour guides who have all been there.

22 Nov 2024 - 5:44AM

Art

Could Prague’s ‘amazing’ Signal Festival work in Hong Kong?

The digital art extravaganza, whose 2024 edition was mesmerising, is in talks to launch in Hong Kong, but its co-founder has reservations.

28 Oct 2024 - 11:24AM

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Czech Republic

Trump ally Babis returns as Czech PM amid fraud trial and EU concerns

His return raises concerns that his Eurosceptic coalition could restrict aid to Ukraine.

Oscar-winning UK playwright Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

Czech Republic’s ‘Trumpist’ ex-PM wins election, putting Ukraine aid in doubt

Billionaire Andrej Babis’ victory could draw the country closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia, which oppose sanctions on Russia.

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}After The War | Love, hate and the post-war paradox of China-Japan relations

A popular film about the Nanking massacre marks the latest fraught chapter between countries that view each other with suspicion and affinity.

Why EU stance on Taiwan is a growing cause of concern for mainland China

Taiwan remains a red line for Beijing, but island’s informal EU ties are prompting worries that the bloc may backslide on one-China policy.

China retail slowdown, Trump-Putin summit, Wang Yi visits India

This week: Weak retail sales stoke China economy concerns; Trump and Putin prepare for Alaska talks; US and China extend tariff truce by three months. Next week: Wang Yi visits India and Pakistan; Xiaomi posts earnings; Ronaldo may play in Hong Kong, and more.

Chinese families in ‘broken houses’; PLA’s warning: SCMP daily highlights

From China sanctioning two European banks to a Chinese-owned aircraft detained in Russia, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China cuts ties with Czech president over his birthday visit to Dalai Lama

Beijing says it ‘lodged serious protests with the Czech side’ after Pavel left Japan to make private trip to see exiled spiritual leader.

Europe’s ‘out of control’ wildfires hit tourism spots, forests

Europe battles record wildfires as a heatwave scorches Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, threatening towns, tourism, and ecosystems.

Slovak PM Fico to attend China’s WWII event amid EU tensions

Central European leader is first from the European bloc and Nato to confirm plans to be in Beijing for 80th anniversary commemoration.

Amsterdam Pride blends celebration and protest in LGBTQ show of solidarity

A record 260,000 people attended Pride in Germany’s Hamburg while in Prague the parade drew tens of thousands demanding equal rights.

Von der Leyen deepens gloom over China-EU summit with attack on Russia stance

EU Commission chief accuses China of ‘unyielding support’ for Moscow and ‘flooding global markets’ ahead of major showdown this month.

By air, land and sea, nations race to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran

Caught between warring nations, thousands of foreign nationals are being moved out of Israel and Iran in complex logistical operations.

A tale of two cities: why views of China differ so much in Barcelona and Prague

The stark contrast between Spain’s wish for close economic ties and Czech suspicion highlights the growing divide within the EU over China.

Russia alleges back-stabbing as Serbia’s arms reach Ukraine

Serbia’s position of neutrality questioned as Russia alleges secret arms shipments for Ukraine sent through intermediaries.

China accused of ‘malicious cyber campaign’ targeting Czech foreign ministry

Hackers linked to Chinese spy agency blamed for attack, which EU’s top diplomat calls an ‘unacceptable violation of international norms’.

Philippines vows ‘Super Bowl’ of exercises in coming military drills

The exercises will feature ‘an interesting mix of equipment’, including the China-opposed Typhon missile system.

Rubio, Czech counterpart discuss Ukraine after Trump-Zelensky clash

Rubio and Lipavsky discuss US-Czech relations, Nato defence spending, and prospects for peace in Ukraine.

Teenager kills 2 women in knife attack at Czech shop

Czech media said the teenager, 16, attacked a shop assistant at the counter and another worker in a service area of the shop.

Gas heater explodes at Czech restaurant, killing 6 in fire

The blaze, believed to have been sparked by a toppled propane cylinder, quickly engulfed the building.

Chinese firms seek European base for factories amid trade tensions, tariffs

European industrial real estate developer CTP expects increased demand from Chinese firms that do not want to get caught in the trade war.

UK approves Royal Mail takeover by Czech billionaire

Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group is taking over the parent company of the centuries-old Royal Mail in a deal worth US$4.5 billion.

Puppy love as Czech prison inmates train assistance dogs

The training is part of a project to help inmates at the Jirice prison northeast of Prague be better prepared for life outside jail.

Sex workers and ex-addicts show tourists Czech capital’s dark side

Social enterprise Pragulic tackles ‘myth and prejudice’ around people living on Prague’s streets, using tour guides who have all been there.

Could Prague’s ‘amazing’ Signal Festival work in Hong Kong?

The digital art extravaganza, whose 2024 edition was mesmerising, is in talks to launch in Hong Kong, but its co-founder has reservations.

After The War | Love, hate and the post-war paradox of China-Japan relations