Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim in Italy for democracy forum

Taipei, Sept. 11 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is visiting Italy to attend an international conference on freedom and democracy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Friday, confirming a previously unannounced trip.

MOFA said 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 Sept. 10 to 12. She was accompanied by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍).

The Presidential Office will provide more information about the trip after Hsiao returns to Taiwan, MOFA said in a statement. It did not say, however, when Hsiao departed Taiwan or when she would return.

MOFA's confirmation came after European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, the main initiator of the conference, announced late Thursday during the event that Hsiao had arrived in Italy to attend, despite Beijing's attempt to prevent the trip from happening.

Hsiao's participation had not been announced beforehand.

"No one can dictate who may be hosted on European soil, which voices may be heard, or which presences must be kept hidden," Picierno said in an Italian-language social media post late Thursday.

"That is why today we welcomed the Vice President of Taiwan, Hsiao Bi-khim, to Ventotene -- her presence was kept confidential until her arrival to safeguard her participation in the Second European Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy," she wrote.

"The message is simple and crystal clear: intimidation cannot determine who takes part in our democratic debate," she said.

"Freedom of dialogue is not up for negotiation with autocracies. And Ventotene, today more than ever, must remain a place where freedom and democracy are defended without fear."

The trip to Italy marks the second time Hsiao has visited Europe since taking office in May 2024. She last visited Europe in November 2025 to deliver an address at an IPAC meeting in Brussels.