European Values think tank communist-watch program to open Taipei Office
The Czech think tank, European Values Center for Security Policy (EVC), will open an office in Taipei later this year, as part of its Red Watch Program, according to a press release issued today, April 20.
The Taipei Office of the Red Watch Program will focus on monitoring Chinese influence operations.
EVC signed a partnership agreement with Taiwan’s representative Ke Liang-Ruey at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague today.
The EVC press release referred to Ke as “The ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Prague, H.E. Liang-Ruey Ke,” in apparent disregard for the feelings of the Chinese Communist Party.
EVC director Jakub Janda said, ” “Taiwanese institutions have much to say about Chinese interference activities and how to deal with them. They have studied and resisted the Chinese Communist regime for decades, which is something that Europeans need to learn as well. We hope to bring more of Taiwan’s priceless knowledge to Europe and to show our European counterparts that it is perfectly normal to cooperate with our friendly fellow democracy in Taiwan. Our aim is to help facilitate more cooperation between European and Taiwanese institutions on security- and defense-related issues.”
Founded in 2005, the EVC describes itself as ” a non-governmental, non-partisan institute defending freedom and sovereignty, … [defending] Europe especially from the malign influences of Russia, China, and Islamic extremists.”
The EVC Taipei office will be headed by Richard Kraemer, who said that he is “enthusiastic about the mission ahead and sees the project as a great opportunity for Taiwan and Europe.”
“I’m honored to serve as the interim director of EVC’s Taipei office, where we’ll be building bridges between the governments of Taiwan, Europe, and the USA and civil society in those countries. Since its first elections in the 1990s, Taiwan has overcome mighty challenges on its road to becoming the strongest democracy in the region. This is a tremendous tribute to the values and fortitude of its people, who persevere despite the existential threat from Beijing. I’m thrilled to be working with them, Kraemer said.”
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