Hsiao Bi-khim's Italy visit highlights Taiwan's semiconductor strengths amid Beijing tensions

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim completed her official visit to Italy earlier this month, during which she attended multiple bilateral meetings and participated in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum held in Rome. This European trip comes at a critical time as Taiwan continues to strive for greater participation on the international stage. During the meetings, Vice President Hsiao elaborated on Taiwan's competitive advantages in fields such as semiconductors, green energy, and medical technology to the Italian Prime Minister and European Union representatives, while calling on European nations to provide more open platforms for cooperation in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. This move not only highlights the proactive nature of Taiwan's foreign policy but also conveys the message to the international community that Taiwan is a responsible and trustworthy partner.

Premier Cho Jung-tai responded to Vice President Hsiao's European itinerary at a press conference today, emphasizing that "it is Taiwan's right for its key leaders to walk out into the world, and it brook no interference from other countries." He pointed out that since withdrawing from the United Nations in 1971, Taiwan has continued to demonstrate its international value through substantive participation and contributions, despite facing the predicament of a compressed diplomatic space. Premier Cho's statement is not only an affirmation of Vice President Hsiao's diplomatic efforts but also a response to recent warnings and pressure from mainland China regarding Taiwan's diplomatic activities, demonstrating that the Executive Yuan maintains a firm stance on sovereignty and participation in international affairs.

Regarding cross-strait relations, Premier Cho also mentioned China's recently announced "entry and exit regulations," stating that they fall under the category of China's internal affairs and carry no judicial jurisdiction over Taiwan. These regulations primarily target the review procedures for Chinese citizens traveling to Taiwan for tourism and business activities. Although they do not directly restrict the entry and exit of Taiwanese citizens, they may produce indirect impacts in practical operations. Premier Cho's remarks imply that when facing changes in cross-strait policies, Taiwan will still rely on its own laws and international practices to safeguard its citizens' freedom of movement and the stability of economic exchanges.

Behind these remarks and actions lies a reflection of Taiwan's delicate position in the international political landscape. Since 2020, Taiwan's critical role in the global supply chain has become increasingly prominent, particularly in the production of advanced process wafers, making it an indispensable technological partner for many countries. European nations' demand for energy transition and high-tech industries makes Taiwan's diplomatic resources even more strategically valuable. Vice President Hsiao's trip to Italy utilized this industrial complementarity to strive for more concrete cooperation agreements and policy support within the European Union.

However, Taiwan's international space remains subject to political pressure from mainland China. China continues to use the "One China" principle as a prerequisite in multiple international occasions, demanding that other countries refrain from establishing official relations with Taiwan at the official level. Faced with this situation, the government of Taiwan has chosen the path of "substantive participation" over "formal recognition," deepening its connections with various countries through economic, trade, technological, and cultural exchanges. Premier Cho's firm statement is a signal to the outside world that Taiwan will not slow its pace due to external obstacles, and it also reminds the international community to respect the fact and rights of Taiwan as an independent entity when dealing with cross-strait issues.

In summary, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's visit to Europe and Premier Cho Jung-tai's public statements show that Taiwan continues to base its diplomatic and cross-strait policies on agency and practical actions, striving for international participation while steadfastly upholding its own sovereignty and principles of the rule of law. Moving forward, how Taiwan strikes a balance between major power competition and regional cooperation will be an important indicator for observing the political trajectory of the Asia-Pacific region.