Ventotene: Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is visiting Italy to attend an international conference on freedom and democracy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed Friday, marking a previously unannounced trip. According to Focus Taiwan, the organizers invited Hsiao to attend the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, which is being held on the Italian island of Ventotene from September 10 to 12. She is accompanied by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung. The Presidential Office has stated it will provide more information about the trip once Hsiao returns to Taiwan. However, MOFA did not disclose the dates of her departure from Taiwan or her expected return. The confirmation from MOFA followed an announcement by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, who is the main initiator of the conference. Picierno announced late Thursday during the event that Hsiao had arrived in Italy, highlighting that Beijing had attempted to prevent the trip. Hsiao's participation in the confer ence had not been previously announced. Picierno emphasized the significance of Hsiao's visit in an Italian-language social media post, stating, "No one can dictate who may be hosted on European soil, which voices may be heard, or which presences must be kept hidden." She expressed that welcoming the Vice President of Taiwan to Ventotene was a move to ensure her participation was safeguarded, maintaining the confidentiality until her arrival. Picierno further noted, "The message is simple and crystal clear: intimidation cannot determine who takes part in our democratic debate." She affirmed that "freedom of dialogue is not up for negotiation with autocracies," reinforcing Ventotene's role as a bastion of freedom and democracy. This visit to Italy marks Hsiao's second trip to Europe since assuming office in May 2024. Her previous visit to Europe was in November 2025, where she delivered an address at an IPAC meeting in Brussels.
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