Taiwan's foreign ministry gave its top diplomatic medal to the departing Czech envoy, a friendly signal in a relationship Beijing dislikes.

• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung awarded David Steinke a special diplomatic medal for four years of work building Taiwan-Czech ties.
• Direct flights between Taipei and Prague opened during his posting, along with a joint resilience program.
• He also hosted two high-level Czech Senate delegations, including Senate President Miloš Vystrčil.
• Chip cooperation and a Palace Museum exhibition in Prague — his three stated goals on arrival — all came through.
• Prague has become one of Taiwan's warmest partners in Europe, encouraging other like-minded countries to deepen contacts.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan to keep courting Central European partners as its main route into Europe, with a new Czech representative inheriting an unusually close relationship.