Czech Defence Minister Zůna faces criticism over planned China trip

Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna is facing criticism over a planned trip to Beijing in mid-September to attend the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. The potential visit has caused controversy within the Czech Parliament, as the scheduled trip coincides with parliamentary committee meetings regarding defense and the national budget.

Former Defence Minister Jana Černochová has criticized the move, warning that the forum serves as a platform for Chinese military diplomacy and propaganda. She noted that while major Western allies typically send lower-level representatives to the event, sending a sitting minister would send a significant and potentially problematic political signal. This tension is heightened by existing security concerns, including previous cyberattacks attributed to Chinese-linked groups targeting the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.