Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is currently in Europe for a rare visit, participating in a democracy forum in Italy alongside Taiwan’s foreign minister. This trip has been met with condemnation from China, which has labeled it “despicable,” according to reports.
Typically, while Taiwanese foreign ministers occasionally travel to Europe and other regions without official ties to the island that China claims, it is uncommon for a high-ranking official such as the vice president to undertake such visits due to potential backlash from Beijing against the host country.
China asserts that Taiwan is one of its provinces, a claim firmly rejected by the democratically governed island. Taiwan’s presidential office has stated that Hsiao was invited to attend the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy, traveling with Lin Chia-lung, Taiwan’s foreign minister.
No Meetings with Italian Officials Planned
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, which consistently opposes any foreign visits by Taiwanese leaders, has communicated solemn objections to both Italy and the European Union regarding this visit.
“Officials from the Democratic Progressive Party and certain politicians have spared no effort to attract attention everywhere,” Mao Ning, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, remarked, indirectly referencing Taiwan’s ruling party.
Mao criticized the trip, saying, “Such behavior is despicable and ultimately futile.” Reports indicate that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will not meet with the Taiwanese officials, and there are no plans for meetings at the Prime Minister’s office.
The Ventotene Conference commenced on Thursday and will run through Saturday.
Visit Kept Secret Due to Concerns Over China’s Response
Pina Picierno, Vice President of the European Parliament, announced on Friday morning via her Facebook page that Hsiao is participating in the conference, revealing that her attendance was initially kept secret due to worries over potential Chinese repercussions.
“As the Chinese regime continues to use threats and intimidation to prevent Taiwanese political leaders from participating in free conferences, her presence was kept secret to ensure she could actually arrive here,” Picierno stated in a video comment from the conference.
Italy, like most countries, does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, although the Vatican remains one of the twelve diplomatic allies Taiwan has left.
Both Taiwan and Italy maintain de facto embassies in each other’s capitals and there are direct flights between the two.
Taiwan Seeks Closer Ties with Europe
Last November, Hsiao delivered a speech at the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China held in the European Parliament in Brussels.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Taiwan has been keen to strengthen its ties with Europe, especially given Europe’s own disputes with China related to trade imbalances and Beijing’s perceived support for Moscow.
China has sanctioned Hsiao, accusing her of being a fierce proponent of Taiwan’s independence.
The Taipei government maintains that only the island’s population can decide its future, dismissing China’s claims outright.
