Taiwan vice president makes rare Europe visit for conference on democracy
European Parliament's Pina Picierno says Hsiao's visit 'was kept secret until her arrival to protect her participation'.
Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is making a rare visit to Europe, attending a forum on democracy in Italy alongside the island’s foreign minister, the presidential office said.
Hsiao has been invited to attend the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy, and is travelling with Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, the presidential office said in a brief statement.
Other details will be provided once the two return to Taiwan from the Italian island of Ventotene, it added,
“No one can determine who can be hosted on European soil, what voices can be heard, and what presences must be hidden,” Picierno said in a Facebook post. “It is a simple and very clear message: intimidation cannot decide who participates in our democratic debate.”