Europe

National Palace Museum Exhibition in Czech Republic Threatened With Attacks

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By Leon Lien/Alan Lu

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Taiwan’s National Palace Museum recently flew several artifacts to the Czech Republic for a special exhibition as part of a cultural exchange with several European countries. But the exhibit has been marred by threats of attacks if it continues.

National Palace Museum 100th Anniversary Exhibition in Czech Republic Marred by Threats

 

REPORTER:  

Taiwan’s National Palace Museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a special display in the Czech Republic. But the exhibition has been marred by threats of a possible terror attack.

 

REPORTER:  

The National Palace Museum in Taipei recently sent several artifacts to the Czech Republic for a special exhibition. But now, Taiwan’s government says it has received threats of a potential attack if the event continues.

 

REPORTER:  

The museum began its centennial overseas exhibition at the Czech National Museum on September 11. But Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, foreign ministry and culture ministry all received emails threatening arson, theft, and shootings if the exhibit continues.

 

The national palace museum says it has tightened security and called for respect toward cultural exchange activities.

 

National Palace Museum Director Hsiao convened an emergency response meeting regarding the Czech exhibition. He also invited relevant departments from the Palace Museum to discuss contingency measures. As for the Czech National Museum, once the news was received, Taiwan immediately notified its representative office in the Czech Republic and the Czech National Museum to take precautionary measures.

 

REPORTER:  

The Palace Museum says the exhibition is currently proceeding normally.

 

The Mainland Affairs Council, which handles relations with China, says it strongly condemns the threat and that it’s working with Taiwan's representative office and authorities in the Czech Republic to step up security measures there.

 

The foreign ministry also says it’s working with the Czech representative office to liaise with the Czech police.

 

Hsiao Kuang-wei (SPOKESPERSON, FOREIGN MINISTRY):  

The foreign ministry has instructed our representative office in the Czech Republic to immediately request the attention of the Czech police. It also recommended that the Mainland Affairs Council turn over the threatening email to our law enforcement authorities for investigation.

 

REPORTER:  

As Taiwan condemns the threats, attention is now on what happens next — and whether the exhibition will be affected.