Taiwan Vice President Makes Rare Europe Visit as China Condemns Trip

Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has made a rare high-level visit to Europe, attending a democracy conference in Italy alongside the island’s foreign minister in a move that has drawn a sharp rebuke from Beijing.

Hsiao travelled to Italy to attend the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy, where she was joined by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. Her presence at the event was initially kept secret amid concerns that China could attempt to pressure Italy over the visit.

The visit is significant because senior Taiwanese officials rarely travel openly to Europe, where most governments, including Italy, do not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan because of their recognition of Beijing.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and strongly opposes foreign governments hosting or engaging with senior Taiwanese officials. Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said it had lodged “solemn representations” with both Italy and the European Union over Hsiao’s visit.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party of seeking attention internationally and described the visit as “despicable” and ultimately futile.

Despite Hsiao’s presence in Italy, the Taiwanese delegation is not expected to hold official meetings with senior Italian government officials.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will not meet Hsiao and there are no scheduled meetings with the Italian prime minister’s office, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Reuters.

Pina Picierno, vice-president of the European Parliament, confirmed Hsiao’s attendance at the conference and said her participation had initially been kept confidential because of concerns over China’s reaction.

The Ventotene conference, which began on Thursday and runs until Saturday, focuses on democracy and freedom.

Taipei has increasingly sought closer political and economic relations with European countries despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

The effort has gained momentum amid growing European concerns about China’s foreign policy and its relationship with Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hsiao has previously addressed international lawmakers in Europe, including speaking at a summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China in the European Parliament in Brussels last November.

Her latest European appearance comes at a time of heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan has been strengthening its defence capabilities in response to growing pressure from Beijing. At a recent defence forum in Taipei, Hsiao said Taiwan needed to improve its defences and strengthen societal resilience in order to preserve peace and the freedom of its people to determine their future.

China, however, continues to insist that eventual reunification with Taiwan is inevitable and has never ruled out the use of force to achieve it.

The diplomatic dispute over Hsiao’s visit therefore highlights the increasingly delicate relationship between Taiwan, China and Europe, as Taipei seeks greater international engagement while Beijing works to limit its diplomatic space.