Vice president returns home after Italian visit

Taipei, Sept. 14 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) returned to Taiwan Monday after being invited to attend the second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy.

Upon her arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, Hsiao delivered remarks via livestream about her visit to the Italian island of Ventotene, which she described as a place of important historical significance.

"Taking part in discussions on freedom, democracy and peace on this island is not a coincidence," Hsiao said.

"Even though we are half a world away and come from different cultures, freedom is our common language, while peace is what we all aspire to," she said, emphasizing that no matter how difficult the circumstances, Taiwan will bravely continue on its path of walking alongside the world.

Hsiao attended the conference on Friday as a guest of honor, accompanied by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Her participation was not announced until after she arrived in Italy to prevent interference from Beijing.

The trip was Hsiao's second to Europe since she took office in May 2024, following a November 2025 visit to Brussels to address a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.