Taiwan's vice president on rare Europe visit which China calls 'despicable'
The unannounced trip highlights Taiwan’s push to deepen European ties as Beijing objects to official contact with the island.
- Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim arrived in Italy this week to attend the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Friday, accompanied by Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
- Beijing opposes such high-level diplomatic engagement, claiming the democratically governed island as its own territory; this rare visit occurs despite potential backlash, as Italy lacks formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
- European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno confirmed Hsiao's arrival late Thursday, stating, "No one can dictate who may be hosted on European soil," to defend democratic dialogue from intimidation.
- Organizers maintained strict confidentiality regarding the trip until Hsiao's arrival to safeguard her participation; the Presidential Office will provide further details once the delegation returns to Taiwan.
- This visit follows Hsiao's trip to Brussels last November for an Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China summit, as Taiwan increasingly seeks closer European ties since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
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29 Articles
Taiwan's vice president on rare Europe visit which China calls 'despicable'
Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is making a rare visit to Europe, attending a forum on democracy in Italy along with Taipei's foreign minister, the presidential office said on Friday, as China condemned such overseas trips as "despicable".
Deutsche Welle
tempo.coChina angered by Taiwan VP's visit to EU democracy forum
Beijing has lodged a complaint with Italy and the EU over top Taiwanese officials visiting a democracy conference. The EU is navigating contentious issues with China and high-ranking Taiwanese visits are rare.
The Vice-President's visit was not made public in advance because of China's threats to Taiwan politicians.
Hsiao Bi-khim arrived in secret with the Foreign Minister at the European Conference on Freedom and Democracy organized by Picierno. But he will not see Tajani. China protests with Rome for the visa to the representative of the rebel island
Beijing's response comes as Taiwan's 2nd top official is currently attending Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy
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