Taiwan Vice President Makes Secret Trip to Italy Democracy Conference

Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim has traveled to Italy with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung to attend the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy. Her visit was kept secret until the conference began, reportedly because of threats from China against Taiwanese politicians. The event brings together democratic activists including Yulia Navalnaya and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno defended Taiwan’s participation, saying Beijing should not determine who may attend. The trip highlights Taiwan’s efforts to deepen engagement with European institutions despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Italy, amid Beijing’s claims to sovereignty over Taiwan and threats to use force.