Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim Makes Unannounced Visit to Italy to Attend European Democracy Conference

Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim made an unannounced diplomatic visit to Italy to participate in the 2nd Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, held on the Italian island of Ventotene. The high-level trip was confirmed by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidential Office after European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno publicly welcomed Hsiao at the venue. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung accompanied the Vice President during the trip. Hsiao's participation was kept confidential until her arrival in Italy to prevent potential diplomatic interference from China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan and routinely opposes official engagements between Taiwanese leaders and foreign governments. Addressing international delegates and European lawmakers, Vice President Hsiao highlighted the importance of defending democratic values and discussed security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including gray-zone threats. The visit represents a significant diplomatic engagement, as senior Taiwanese executive officials rarely travel to European nations that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Beijing. Organizers of the conference emphasized that European institutions remain committed to hosting diverse global voices dedicated to human rights and democracy. The event drew key representatives from European parliaments, civil society organizations, and international policy institutions.