Hsiao Bi-khim visits Italy again, advancing a new chapter in Taiwan-Europe cooperation

Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao set foot on European soil once again this month at the invitation of the Italian government. This marks her second visit to Europe within a year since assuming the vice presidency, centered primarily around Rome, where she held a symposium on economic and technological cooperation. This trip not only demonstrates Taiwan’s diplomatic activity in Europe, but also highlights Italy's willingness to provide a more substantive platform for interaction in its policy toward Taiwan.

Hsiao previously served as Taiwan's representative to the United States and is quite familiar with the operations of the international stage. Ever since Taiwan's participation in international organizations has faced obstruction, the government has continued to center its approach on "pragmatic diplomacy," seeking cooperation with major economic powers through diverse channels such as trade, technology, and culture. In recent years, the European Union has also gradually adjusted its policy toward Taiwan, expanding from a purely economic partnership to strategic dimensions such as security, energy, and supply chains, thereby providing a broader thematic foundation for Vice President Hsiao's visit.

During a European Parliament meeting held in Brussels, European Parliament committee chair Aeroglu stated that Europe is increasingly viewing Taiwan as an important partner, and that exchanges and visits between the two sides are moving in the direction of institutionalization. Aeroglu pointed out that the European Parliament has established a "Taiwan Friendship Group" and will regularly hold reciprocal visits between lawmakers and policy dialogues in the future to ensure that Taiwan's voice continues to be heard within European legislative bodies. These remarks are not only an endorsement of Hsiao's visit, but also symbolize that Europe is providing Taiwan with more stable channels of interaction at the institutional level.

Institutionalized exchanges are of great significance to Taiwan. In the past, Taiwan has largely been constrained by diplomatic isolation on the international stage. If Taiwan can continuously promote cooperation in fields such as healthcare, semiconductors, and green energy through the official mechanisms of the European Parliament, it will help enhance Taiwan's international visibility and economic resilience. At the same time, Europe maintains a relatively independent policy toward China, and its support for Taiwan is also seen as a strategy to balance China's influence in global supply chains and technology sectors. Mainland China maintains a vigilant attitude toward this and has repeatedly expressed its "One China" position to European countries through diplomatic channels, warning that any form of official interaction could entail political risks.

Regarding cross-strait relations, Hsiao's frequent actions in Europe send a signal that Taiwan is unwilling to back down in international affairs. Public opinion polls within Taiwan indicate that the majority of the public supports the government in strengthening ties with major democratic countries to enhance security and international participation. Europe's institutionalized support can not only secure more space for Taiwan to speak out in international law and multilateral mechanisms, but may also prompt other allied nations to follow suit, forming a broader diplomatic network. If the European Parliament continues to promote official dialogue with Taiwan in the future, it will lay a more solid foundation for Taiwan's role in global governance.

Overall, Vice President Hsiao visiting Europe twice within a year marks a shift in Taiwan-Europe interactions in the political, economic, and technological spheres from sporadic to institutionalized. This is not only a substantive verification of Taiwan's foreign policy, but also injects new variables into the cross-strait situation. The clear stance and institutional arrangements of the European Parliament may become a key fulcrum for Taiwan to continue making its voice heard and deepen cooperation on the international stage.