VP Hsiao back in Taiwan after 3-day visit to Italy for democracy forum
VP Hsiao back in Taiwan after 3-day visit to Italy for democracy forum
2026-09-14
Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is back home after a whirlwind three-day visit to Italy, where she took Taiwan’s message of democracy and freedom directly to Europe. Speaking at the Ventotene Forum, Hsiao stood firm against China’s growing military and gray-zone pressure, declaring that Taiwan will continue to walk alongside the world. Her speech won strong support from European figures, but also clearly struck a nerve in Beijing, which protested her appearance. Now back in Taiwan, Hsiao says the trip sends a clear message that Taiwan will not be intimidated.
After a visit to the Island of Ventotene in Italy, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim arrived safely back in Taiwan in the early hours of Monday.
Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
With my visit, I wanted to send a strong message: No matter the difficult situation we may be in, Taiwan will continue to walk alongside the world. At the Ventotene Forum, I took part in dialogues about freedom, democracy and peace. That is no coincidence. Freedom is the language we all speak, and peace is the aspiration we all have.
Hsiao stressed that no matter their size, the islands of Taiwan and Ventotene should be treated with equal amounts of respect.
Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice President
Taiwan is facing increasing pressure, due to military moves and gray-zone tactics. But just like our friends in Europe, we remain committed to our free and democratic way of life, while striving to preserve regional peace and prosperity.
Vice President Hsiao and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung made a quick three-day visit to Italy, where they took part in the Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, at the invitation of European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno. In her speech, Hsiao stressed Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy and freedom amid China’s growing military threats, and described Taiwan’s resilience as that of a “War Cat.” Her speech won widespread applause from international participants, but also ruffled feathers in Beijing.
Mao Ning
China Foreign Ministry spokesperson
China has lodged serious protests with Italy and the EU side on the “Taiwan independence” politicians’ attendance at the conference in Italy.
Wang Ting-yu
Lawmaker (DPP)
China was shocked to learn what was happening. They dispatched personnel to disrupt the event and monitor what was happening at the forum. But security officers from the countries involved intervened and ordered them to leave. This all goes to show the close ties between Taiwan and several EU countries. Of course, this is a big diplomatic breakthrough and victory for Taiwan.
President Lai Ching-te shared the post of Hsiao’s arrival on his Facebook, adding that it was Taiwan’s right to engage with the world. He stated that Taiwan would continue to pursue opportunities for exchanges and collaboration internationally, so that the world can see Taiwan.
#italy #ventotene #taiwnanews #diplomacy #蕭美琴
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外交突破訪義返國 蕭美琴:處境再艱難 台灣都勇敢與世界同行
2026-09-14
副總統蕭美琴低調出訪義大利3天，出席「文托泰內歐洲自由與民主論壇」，今(14號)清晨成功返抵國門發表演說，蕭副總統表示，要向世界傳達"即使處境再艱難，台灣也都將繼續勇敢走出，與世界同行的路"，傳出中國知道後緊急調派人手、要阻撓相關行程、更有中國人士到論壇現場監控、被國安單位發現要求離開。
副總統蕭美琴出訪義大利溫托泰內島，清晨平安返國、機場發表談話。
[[副總統 蕭美琴]]
“透過這次的出訪，我也想傳達一個堅定的訊息，就是即使處境再艱難，台灣也都將繼續勇敢走出與世界同行的路，我在溫托泰內島上參與談論自由民主和和平的對話，這不是偶然，因為自由是我們共同語言，而和平是我們共同的渴望”
蕭美琴重申台灣與溫托泰內島、兩座島嶼、無論大小都該被平等尊重。
[[副總統 蕭美琴]]
“台灣正承受日益升高的，軍事與灰色地帶壓力，但是我們跟歐洲的朋友一樣，堅持自由民主的生活方式，也致力維持區域的和平與繁榮”
蕭副總統在外交部長陪同下、快閃出訪義大利三天，是受歐洲議會副議長皮切諾邀請、到溫托泰內島，出席"溫托泰內歐洲自由與民主論壇"發表演說。面對中國持續升高的軍事威脅，蕭美琴強調台灣守護民主與自由的決心，也以「戰貓」形容台灣面對挑戰的韌性。演說獲得國際滿堂彩，不過也讓中國氣得跳腳。
[[中國外交部發言人 毛寧]]
“(針對台灣)政客赴義大利出席有關會議，向義方、歐方提出了嚴正交涉”
[[立委(民) 王定宇]]
“中國發現的當下其實是震驚，緊急調派人手分段要去阻撓，要到論壇的現場進行監控，都被相關國家的安全單位發現，要求他離開，顯示台灣跟歐盟幾個國家之間的合作默契，當然是一個外交上的突破跟勝利”
賴總統也在臉書發文，走向世界是台灣天賦權利，我們有權，也會持續爭取國際交流合作機會、讓世界看見台灣。
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