Taiwan Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim makes a rare Italy visit for a democracy forum
Taiwan Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung travelled to Italy's Ventotene island for a three-day conference on freedom and democracy. The trip was kept unannounced until their arrival because Taiwan and Italy have no formal diplomatic relations. The rare European engagement gave senior Taiwanese officials a political platform despite Beijing's diplomatic pressure on host countries.
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Hsiao Bi-khim attends the Ventotene conference
Taiwan Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim travelled to Italy's Ventotene island with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. The two officials are attending a three-day international conference on freedom and democracy. Hsiao's appearance at a senior political event in Europe is a rare visit for a Taiwanese leader. Nikkei Asia separately reported her attendance at the democracy conference in Italy, while Al Jazeera identified both members of the delegation and the programme's three-day duration.[1], [2]
The trip remained unannounced until arrival
Taiwan and Italy do not have formal diplomatic relations. Countries hosting senior Taiwanese officials can face political and economic retaliation from China, so the journey was not disclosed publicly until Hsiao and Lin had reached the island. European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, who organised the meeting, said secrecy was necessary to protect Hsiao's participation. She also said intimidation should not determine who may take part in democratic debate in Europe.[1]
The programme runs through Saturday
The Ventotene conference continues through Saturday. Its programme also includes Ukrainian human-rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk. Hsiao and Lin's participation places Taiwan directly in discussions about freedom and democracy in a European country with which it lacks formal diplomatic ties. Keeping the visit secret until the final moment did not alter the conference schedule; organisers hosted the Taiwanese delegation at the same event as the other international participants.[1]
