Diplomacy

Analysis: VP Bi-khim Hsiao's Visit to Europe

Published
Updated

By Scott Huang/Leslie Liao

Open in App

Taiwan Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao has returned from an unannounced visit to Italy. For more on what her trip means for the future of Taiwan-EU ties, TaiwanPlus speaks to Marcin Jerzewski, the head of the European Values Center for Security Policy's Taiwan office.

Hsiao Returns From Italy

==  
REPORTER:  
Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao has returned from a visit to Italy, where she attended a forum on democracy.  

Bi-khim Hsiao (TAIWAN VICE PRESIDENT):  
In my dialogue at the forum  
I told international friends in attendance that  
Taiwan is facing rising military and gray-zone pressure.  
But like our friends in Europe  
we remain committed  
to a free and democratic way of life  
and to regional peace and prosperity.

Hsiao and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended the forum, hosted by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno.  

Their trip was not announced beforehand and met with strong protests from Beijing.

Picierno called Hsiao a role model and reportedly plans to visit Taiwan.
[==SOT]##
---
Hsiao Returns From Italy

==  
REPORTER:  
Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao has returned to Taiwan from her secret trip to Italy.

Bi-khim Hsiao (TAIWAN VICE PRESIDENT):  
The challenges facing democratic nations  
have never disappeared.  
Authoritarianism, gray-zone threats and coercive force  
challenge to change the status quo.  
They keep emerging in different places  
and in different forms  
and Taiwan is no stranger to them.  
In my dialogue at the forum  
I told international friends in attendance that  
Taiwan is facing rising military and gray-zone pressure.  
But like our friends in Europe  
we remain committed to a free and democratic way of life  
and to regional peace and prosperity.

Vice President Hsiao and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended the second Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy. She said the trip was kept confidential departure to avoid unnecessary interference. The trip saw Hsiao travel for 27 hours by plane, car and ferry. She thanked European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno for the invitation.
[==SOT]##