U.S. praises Taiwan VP's trip to Italy; EU declines to comment

Washington/Brussels, Sept. 14 (CNA) The United States believes that closer exchanges between Taiwan and the international community are beneficial to the people of the host countries, a U.S. government spokesperson told CNA on Monday, when asked to comment on Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's (蕭美琴) recent trip to Italy.

"Taiwan's relationships around the world provide significant benefits to the citizens of those countries, including across Europe," an unnamed State Department spokesperson told CNA in an email.

Hsiao visited the Italian island of Ventotene last week to attend the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy at the invitation of European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, the conference's main initiator, and Carlo Corazza, head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy.

The trip was not announced in advance to avoid "unnecessary interference" by China, Hsiao said Monday upon returning to Taiwan, referring to Beijing's constant objections to Taiwan's international engagements.

Meanwhile, a European Union spokesperson told CNA last week that the bloc does not comment on specific travel plans or engagements involving members of the European Parliament.

The EU reiterated its adherence to its "One-China Policy," under which it recognizes the People's Republic of China rather than the Republic of China (Taiwan).

"Within this policy, the EU and its member states have an interest in having exchanges with Taiwan, to advance EU interests and within the framework of the EU's One-China Policy," the unnamed spokesperson said in an email reply to CNA.