Taiwan Defies Beijing in Italy
Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim visits Italy for democracy conference despite Chinese threats
Anonymous
Key Points
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The Italy trip is Hsiao Bi-khim’s third visit to Europe since the Democratic Progressive Party’s 2024 election victory; she previously traveled to Prague in March 2024 and Brussels in November 2025.
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During her Prague visit, Chinese agents reportedly followed Hsiao’s motorcade and nearly caused a collision. Czech intelligence later linked the incident to a Chinese operation involving surveillance and intimidation.
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At the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s annual summit in Brussels, Hsiao became the first senior Taiwanese government official to address a European legislature, an appearance described as evidence of growing institutional support for dialogue with Taiwan.
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Reflecting on Taiwan’s ties with Europe, Hsiao said: “Europe has defended freedom under fire. And Taiwan has defended democracy under pressure,” framing the relationship as a shared commitment to democratic ideals.
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The visit was formally described by Taiwan’s presidential office as an invitation to attend the Ventotene conference, underscoring that the delegation’s participation was presented as engagement with a European political forum rather than a formal diplomatic visit.
Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim traveled to Italy in secret to attend the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy, keeping her trip hidden until the event began Decode39. The visit marks a rare high-level engagement with Europe and comes amid escalating tension with Beijing, which views Taiwan's diplomatic outreach as a direct challenge to its sovereignty claims Stratfor News Global.
Hsiao traveled alongside Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to join democratic activists including Russian opposition figure Yulia Navalnaya at the conference The Edge Malaysia. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno defended Taiwan's participation, stating that Beijing should not dictate who attends international forums Decode39.
Why Taiwan Kept the Visit Secret
Taiwan's presidential office kept Hsiao's Italy trip under wraps to prevent Chinese interference Decode39. During her March 2024 visit to Prague, Chinese agents reportedly followed her motorcade and nearly caused a collision, according to Czech intelligence investigations Archynetys.
The secrecy reflects Beijing's pattern of intimidating Taiwanese officials abroad. China condemned the Italy visit as "despicable," signaling its anger at Taiwan's growing engagement with democratic nations Stratfor News Global.
Taiwan's Growing European Diplomatic Push
The Italy trip is Hsiao's third European visit since Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party won the 2024 election Archynetys. She previously attended conferences in Prague in March 2024 and Brussels in November 2025, steadily building Taiwan's ties with European institutions The Edge Malaysia.
At the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China's summit in Brussels, Hsiao became the first senior Taiwanese government official to address a European legislature Decode39. This breakthrough signals growing institutional support for dialogue with Taiwan despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
Taiwan Frames Democracy as Shared Struggle
Hsiao drew a parallel between Taiwan and Europe's commitment to freedom. She said: "Europe has defended freedom under fire. And Taiwan has defended democracy under pressure," framing the relationship as a shared mission Stratfor News Global.
The Ventotene Conference brought together activists and officials fighting for democracy worldwide, including Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Decode39. Taiwan's presence at the forum underscores its alignment with democratic nations as China continues threatening military force against the island Domino Theory.
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