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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

Milos Vystrcil, president of the Czech senate, has said his trip aims to boost understanding and cooperation at the political and people-to-people levels. Photo: Handout

China-EU relations

Beijing slams Czech senate president’s Taiwan trip, demands remedial action

Milos Vystrcil, who is leading a delegation from business, academic and cultural sectors, is set to meet island’s leader and other officials.

1 Jun 2026 - 8:04PMvideocam

Italy

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

1 Jun 2026 - 9:58AM

Crime

Czech police recover medieval saint’s 800-year-old skull encased in concrete

16 May 2026 - 11:30AM

Nepal

US climber dies in avalanche on Nepal’s Mount Makalu

Three Nepali guides and a Czech climber have died in the Himalayas so far this season.

12 May 2026 - 5:21PM

A general view of the landscape with snow-covered mountains in Nepal’s Mustang District. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks. Photo: EPA

Trip Inspiration

Discover Europe with flexible, affordable first-class Eurail adventures

Breakfast in Spain, lunch in France and dinner in Italy – with plenty of sightseeing from a comfortable seat in between. The joys of flexible, first-class train travel can be yours for the price of a Eurail pass.

3 May 2026 - 8:00AM

The Philippines

Philippine ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co’s arrest revives long-stalled corruption probe

Observers say Co’s arrest is a ‘notable step towards accountability’ and committee hearings on the flood control scandal could resume.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM

The Philippines

Philippines corruption scandal suspect Zaldy Co caught in Prague, Marcos says

Efforts are under way to repatriate the ex-lawmaker, who is accused of pocketing huge kickbacks from flood-control projects.

17 Apr 2026 - 3:56PM

Fugitive Philippine lawmaker Zaldy Co (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photos: AFP

China-EU relations

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Without fanfare, Brussels will stop funding for projects that use the Chinese-made devices as part of a ‘do more, say less’ strategy.

25 Apr 2026 - 5:14AMvideocam

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

Europe and America’s warmongering and genocide-enabling are at the roots of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints.

15 Feb 2026 - 10:34PM

UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese. Photo: AFP

Jimmy Lai trial

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

Vote in European Parliament to revoke city’s special trade status and on sanctions to take place Thursday evening.

22 Jan 2026 - 1:15PM

Former media boss Jimmy Lai. Photo: Edmond So

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burning trees are pictured during a wildfire in Carcastillo, northern Spain on Sunday. Photo: AP

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

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Czech Republic

Beijing slams Czech senate president’s Taiwan trip, demands remedial action

Milos Vystrcil, who is leading a delegation from business, academic and cultural sectors, is set to meet island’s leader and other officials.

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

Czech police recover medieval saint’s 800-year-old skull encased in concrete

US climber dies in avalanche on Nepal’s Mount Makalu

Three Nepali guides and a Czech climber have died in the Himalayas so far this season.

Discover Europe with flexible, affordable first-class Eurail adventures

Breakfast in Spain, lunch in France and dinner in Italy – with plenty of sightseeing from a comfortable seat in between. The joys of flexible, first-class train travel can be yours for the price of a Eurail pass.

Philippine ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co’s arrest revives long-stalled corruption probe

Observers say Co’s arrest is a ‘notable step towards accountability’ and committee hearings on the flood control scandal could resume.

Philippines corruption scandal suspect Zaldy Co caught in Prague, Marcos says

Efforts are under way to repatriate the ex-lawmaker, who is accused of pocketing huge kickbacks from flood-control projects.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

Without fanfare, Brussels will stop funding for projects that use the Chinese-made devices as part of a ‘do more, say less’ strategy.

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

Europe and America’s warmongering and genocide-enabling are at the roots of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints.

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

Vote in European Parliament to revoke city’s special trade status and on sanctions to take place Thursday evening.

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.

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.

Exclusive | EU to cut funding for Chinese inverters amid change of tack towards Beijing

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