TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday (April 30) thanked the Czech Republic for a donation of US$150,000 (NT$4.88 million) to help with the reconstruction of earthquake-hit Hualien County.
A magnitude 7.2 quake struck the east coast region on April 3, with widespread damage to buildings and roads. The quake also left 18 dead, with two people missing, and more than 1,000 injured.
Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday (April 29) evening it would provide a donation. Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Milos Vystrcil, and Chamber of Deputies President Marketa Pekarova Adamova expressed sympathy for the quake victims, MOFA said.
The two nations are allies with similar ideals and partners in contributing to the international community, MOFA added. It said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan donated 1.35 million masks to the Czech Republic, while Prague sent 30,000 vaccine doses to Taiwan.
According to MOFA, although the two sides do not maintain diplomatic relations, unofficial ties have grown in recent years, with government officials from both countries exchanging visits. Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) stopped in Prague in March, triggering an angry response from China.