Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is making a rare visit to Europe to attend a conference on democracy in Italy, the presidential office in Taipei confirmed on Friday, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera. Hsiao is travelling alongside Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to take part in the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy. The presidential office stated that further procedural details regarding the itinerary will be shared publicly once the delegation completes the journey and returns to Taipei.
The high-level presence in Europe represents a notable diplomatic engagement for the self-governed island.
Pina Picierno, vice president of the European Parliament, confirmed that Hsiao`s travel had been kept confidential until her arrival to protect her participation in the proceedings. Picierno stated on social media that no external authority can dictate who is permitted on European territory, what discussions take place, or which delegations are welcomed. She emphasized that democratic dialogue cannot be suppressed through intimidation and that open debate remains essential when interacting with authoritarian pressures.
While Taiwanese foreign ministers occasionally conduct visits to European nations that maintain informal relations with Taipei, direct travels by an official as senior as the vice president are uncommon due to potential diplomatic friction with Beijing. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, a stance that Taipei authorities consistently reject. Italy, in alignment with most nations worldwide, does not hold formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The Ventotene forum, which opened on Thursday, gathers international figures and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday. Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, who heads the Centre for Civil Liberties and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022, is also listed to participate in the working sessions.
Hsiao previously addressed European lawmakers in Brussels during the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China summit late last year. Taiwanese officials have not confirmed whether additional stops in European capitals are scheduled before the delegation returns home.
