Taiwan's deputy leader attends democracy forum in Italy despite Beijing's objections
Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is attending the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy, accompanied by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. The visit was kept secret until her arrival to protect her participation, according to European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno. The trip is rare for an official of her seniority due to potential backlash from China.
The Ventotene gathering runs from Thursday through Saturday on the Italian island. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno revealed the visit was concealed until Hsiao's arrival to shield her from potential interference. Ukrainian Nobel laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk is also slated to attend.
This engagement follows Hsiao's address at an Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China summit in Brussels last November. The trip highlights the diplomatic tightrope, as Italy maintains no formal ties with Taipei, while Beijing insists the island is a Chinese province—a stance Taiwan firmly rejects.
This visit could deepen Taiwan's international engagement despite Beijing's objections, potentially prompting retaliatory diplomatic or economic measures from China against Italy or the EU. It may also embolden other European nations to host Taiwanese officials, while reinforcing China's narrative of external interference. For regional stability, such symbolic gestures could heighten tensions, though they also underscore the growing willingness of democratic states to publicly engage with Taipei.