Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim defended Taiwan's right to build international partnerships during a visit to Italy, despite opposition from Beijing.

Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated on Friday that Taiwan maintains the right to form friendships and collaborate with international partners. Speaking at the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy, Hsiao emphasized that Taiwan remains committed to engaging with the world despite efforts by Beijing to limit its international presence.

Conference Participation and Security

Hsiao attended the conference as a guest of honor alongside Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. To prevent interference from Beijing, her attendance was kept confidential until her arrival in Italy. European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, the event's organizer, confirmed that the agenda would not be dictated by Beijing and accepted an invitation to visit Taiwan in the near future.

International Relations and Defense

During the event, several Italian politicians criticized Beijing’s formal protest regarding the visit, with officials describing the intimidation as unacceptable. Hsiao noted that Taiwan must bolster its defenses and secure its role in global technology supply chains to preserve peace, citing the situation in Ukraine as a warning. She reiterated that Taiwan will not yield to coercion or change its democratic way of life.