Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Highlights Island's Voice at Historic Ventotene Forum

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim spent last week on Ventotene, Italy, where she delivered remarks at the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy. Emphasizing that no island is too small for a voice, she drew parallels between the island’s WWII history of political dissidents and Taiwan’s democratic challenges, warning of authoritarian and “gray zone” threats. Invited by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno and liaison head Carlo Corazza, Hsiao also met officials such as Sandro Gozi, Valerie Hayer, and Mayor Carmine Caputo, and toured local historic sites with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.

She returned via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, stating the visit was kept low-profile to avoid Chinese interference. The article also noted unrelated incidents: a drone breach at Taichung airport, a volcanic eruption at Anak Krakatau, a fuel price rise by CPC Corp and Formosa Petrochemical, and a widening Chinese-espionage probe involving aides to legislator May Chin.