Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim makes a rare visit to Italy

A senior Taiwanese delegation reaches Europe

Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim travelled to Italy with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to attend the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy, Taiwan’s presidential office said. The September 11 disclosure confirms a rare European trip by an official of Hsiao’s rank. The conference runs from Thursday through Saturday on Ventotene, an Italian island associated with the intellectual history of European integration.

Pina Picierno, a vice president of the European Parliament, said arrangements had been kept confidential until Hsiao arrived in order to protect her participation. Italy, like most governments, has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. That makes visits by senior Taiwanese leaders politically sensitive even when they occur at civic or parliamentary forums rather than through formal state-to-state diplomacy.

Unofficial ties continue to deepen

The visit fits a broader pattern of expanding practical links between Taiwan and Europe. On September 1, the European Commission reported that it had organised a second EU-Taiwan semiconductor industry dialogue in Taipei, covering artificial-intelligence chips, data-centre infrastructure and the proposed European Chips Act 2.0. Such engagement operates within the EU’s One China policy and does not amount to diplomatic recognition.

A June European Parliament research briefing describes Taiwan as a growing focus of European policy amid China-US rivalry and increased concern about coercion in the Taiwan Strait. It says the EU has no official diplomatic relations with Taipei but cooperates on trade, cyber resilience and countering disinformation. The briefing also records the EU’s opposition to the use of force across the strait.

Beijing’s response will set the temperature

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan’s elected government rejects Beijing’s claim to rule the island. Hsiao’s presence in Italy is therefore likely to be measured not only by the conference programme but by China’s diplomatic response and by whether she meets serving European officials. Taiwan said further details would follow after the delegation returns, so any additional meetings or commitments should await official confirmation.