Italian Senate VP leads cross‑party delegation to Taiwan, seeks deeper semiconductor ties.

Italian Senate Vice‑President Qian Yiyou recently led a high‑profile, cross‑party delegation to Taiwan for a multi‑day diplomatic and economic exchange program. In response to this significant diplomatic development, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Zhizhong, on behalf of the Taiwanese government and Foreign Minister Lin Jia‑long, personally received the delegation and engaged in an in‑depth discussion of Taiwan‑Italy bilateral relations. Wu publicly noted that Italy has long possessed robust capabilities in precision technology, electronics, and high‑end manufacturing, with a rich developmental history that is highly complementary to Taiwan’s existing industrial structure. He added that further integration between the two sides could unlock substantial, high‑potential collaborative opportunities.

During the meeting, Wu emphasized Taiwan’s pivotal position within the global high‑technology supply chain, especially in semiconductor manufacturing and supply‑chain security. Taiwan not only maintains a complete semiconductor ecosystem but also leads the world in wafer fabrication and advanced process technologies. He conveyed the Taiwanese government’s hope that, building on the solid foundation of past interactions, both sides could further expand and deepen cooperation in technology research and development as well as mutually beneficial trade, thereby ensuring steady progress in Taiwan‑Italy relations amid a rapidly changing international environment.

In recent years, substantive diplomatic and economic exchanges between European countries and Taiwan have shown a clear upward trend. As a core member of the European Union, Italy’s policy and parliamentary movements naturally attract international attention. Italian lawmakers and officials from across the political spectrum frequently organize delegations to visit Taiwan, underscoring the island’s high appeal and strategic value to Europe in terms of democratic values and supply‑chain considerations. Qian Yiyou’s personal leadership of the delegation not only demonstrates the Italian parliament’s firm support for Taiwan but also lays a stronger foundation of political trust for future cooperation in technology diplomacy, trade, and supply‑chain resilience.

From a global geopolitical and industrial‑layout perspective, Taiwan’s collaboration with European nations has long surpassed mere commodity trade. It has gradually extended to critical infrastructure, semiconductor talent development, green‑energy transition, and the security of high‑technology supply chains. While Italy is renowned worldwide for its traditional automotive industry, machinery manufacturing, fashion, and design, the country’s pursuit of digital transformation and response to the global semiconductor shortage have made the search for reliable, technologically advanced partners a key national strategy. Taiwan’s position as the world’s most resilient semiconductor supply chain means that a tighter partnership in electronics and technology would yield tangible, win‑win benefits for both Italy’s industrial upgrade and Taiwan’s expansion of international trade space.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to adhere to principles of mutual benefit, deepening substantive diplomatic work with like‑minded European countries, including Italy. As Taiwan serves as a frontline guardian of peace and democratic values in the Indo‑Pacific, strengthening ties with European democratic partners will not only raise Taiwan’s international visibility but also materially reinforce the resilience of global democratic supply chains. With Qian Yiyou’s visit concluding successfully, both sides are expected to cultivate further exchanges across technology, trade, education, and culture, ushering in a new phase of forward‑looking collaboration.

Source: Central News Agency