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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

Blackpink’s Jennie will perform at the coming ComplexCon in Hong Kong. Photo: Getty Images

Hong Kong society

Blackpink’s Jennie, Art Basel, Cj Hendry: top Hong Kong events to catch in March

Residents and visitors are spoiled for choice in the last two weeks of art month, with ComplexCon and HKwalls among the offerings.

15 Mar 2026 - 3:27PM

My Take

My Take | China and the UN are not the problem in Ukraine and Palestine – the West is

15 Feb 2026 - 10:34PM

Jimmy Lai trial

European Parliament debates moves to punish Hong Kong after Jimmy Lai conviction

22 Jan 2026 - 1:15PM

Natural disasters

Recovery continues after 8 skiers killed in avalanches in Austria

Three avalanches across Austria on the weekend killed eight people - all during off-piste ski tours.

19 Jan 2026 - 11:05AM

Rescuers search for people after an avalanche in the Salzburg Pongau region of western Austria on Saturday. Photo: Bergrettung Pongau via AP

China-EU relations

China’s charm offensive: Beijing bypasses Brussels to soften EU trade push

From aircraft orders in France to reopened beef and pork markets for Ireland and Spain, mainland officials are leaning hard into diplomacy.

17 Jan 2026 - 12:13PMvideocam

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

His work ranges from plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to the film Shakespeare in Love, which scooped seven Academy Awards.

30 Nov 2025 - 2:14AM

British playwright Tom Stoppard arrives for the world premiere of “Anna Karenina” in London in September 2012. Photo: AP

Singapore

Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says states with fewer resources are most vulnerable to cyberattacks against their infrastructure.

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

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

Some of China’s manufacturing industries, including the new-energy sector, have been plagued by low-price competition, or involution. Photo: Xinhua

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

Military personnel take part in a parade in Beijing on Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender. Photo: AP

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

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

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says he would like to use his September visit to Beijing “to confirm joint economic projects and intentions”. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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

Bulgarian citizens evacuated from Israel, along with dozens of foreign nationals from Slovenia, the US, Belgium, Albania, Kosovo and Romania, arrive in Sofia. Photo: AP

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

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

Philippine Army Brigadier General Michael Logico (left) and US Marine Corps Colonel Doug Krugman during a press briefing for the Balikatan drills at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

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

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

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Czech Republic

Blackpink’s Jennie, Art Basel, Cj Hendry: top Hong Kong events to catch in March

Residents and visitors are spoiled for choice in the last two weeks of art month, with ComplexCon and HKwalls among the offerings.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | China and the UN are not the problem in Ukraine and Palestine – the West is

European Parliament debates moves to punish Hong Kong after Jimmy Lai conviction

Recovery continues after 8 skiers killed in avalanches in Austria

Three avalanches across Austria on the weekend killed eight people - all during off-piste ski tours.

China’s charm offensive: Beijing bypasses Brussels to soften EU trade push

From aircraft orders in France to reopened beef and pork markets for Ireland and Spain, mainland officials are leaning hard into diplomacy.

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

His work ranges from plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to the film Shakespeare in Love, which scooped seven Academy Awards.

Singapore urges cooperation against cyber threats to protect developing nations

Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says states with fewer resources are most vulnerable to cyberattacks against their infrastructure.

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-19im5qg{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.

My Take | China and the UN are not the problem in Ukraine and Palestine – the West is

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