China hits out at Italy for hosting Taiwan’s vice president
China’s angry reaction to Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s visit to Italy reveals a broader concern in Beijing: Taiwan’s ability to turn democracy into diplomatic capital
Taiwan does not need formal diplomatic recognition to expand its international space. Its democratic identity gives Taipei access to political networks, lawmakers and civil society across countries that maintain official relations with Beijing.
- That is precisely the kind of space China is trying to restrict. “The problem is simple: China fears one thing — democratic contagion,”said on X Gianni Vernetti, former Italian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.
Driving the news: Beijing lodged formal protests with both Italy and the European Union after Republic of China, Taiwan vice-president Hsiao Bi-khim travelled to Ventotene for the Conference for Freedom and Democracy, alongside Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
- China’s Foreign Ministry accused Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities of seeking independence “under the guise of democracy and freedom,” describing their efforts as “despicable” and “futile.”
- Yet Hsiao’s trip did not signal any change in Italy’s official policy toward Taiwan.
- Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani did not meet the Taiwanese delegation, nor were meetings scheduled at the Prime Minister’s Office. Italy continues to maintain its established diplomatic framework toward Beijing.
In the name of Democracy. Chinese officials portrayed the use of “democracy and freedom” not as the legitimate basis for international dialogue, but as a cover for Taiwanese separatism.
- The Global Times went further, framing Hsiao’s European outreach through the familiar language of “outside interference” and portraying foreign political support as something that increases tensions rather than strengthens Taiwan’s international participation.
What they’re saying: Hsiao offered an almost mirror-image interpretation in Ventotene. “We have the right to make friends. We have the right to talk to our friends,” she said, arguing that Taiwan should be able to cooperate with like-minded partners despite Beijing’s pressure.
- That disagreement goes to the heart of the issue:
- For Taipei, interaction among democracies is legitimate international engagement.
- For Beijing, the same interaction becomes unacceptable when it gives Taiwan greater political visibility.
The big picture: China’s strategy toward Taiwan has traditionally relied not only on military pressure across the Strait but also on limiting Taipei’s international room for maneuver. Formal diplomacy is only one part of that contest.
- Taiwan has just a small number of formal diplomatic allies, but it has developed increasingly dense unofficial relationships with democratic countries. Parliamentary diplomacy, conferences, economic ties and exchanges among officials provide Taipei with channels that exist below the threshold of formal recognition.
Democracy itself becomes part of Taiwan’s foreign-policy infrastructure. That helps explain why an event in Ventotene can matter to Beijing even without an Italian government meeting. The political value for Taiwan lies precisely in demonstrating that the absence of diplomatic recognition does not have to mean political isolation.
- And Beijing appears to understand that distinction very well.
What to watch: The episode also comes as China’s diplomatic representation in Rome enters a new phase.
- Italy has a new Chinese ambassador, H.E. Hou Yue, whose previous professional experience includes work connected to Beijing’s Taiwan policy.
- The timing does not establish a connection with the Ventotene episode, but the background is worth noting.
Why it matters: Taiwan is becoming a more visible component of Italy’s wider relationship with the Indo-Pacific, while Beijing continues to insist that the one-China principle is the political foundation of its relations with both Rome and Brussels.
The bottom line: The question, therefore, is becoming less about whether Italy will alter its formal Taiwan policy — there is little indication that it will — and more about how much informal political space Rome and other European capitals are prepared to allow Taipei.
- Ventotene provided one answer. Despite the secrecy required to get her there, Taiwan’s vice president was ultimately able to stand on an Italian island and publicly make the case that her democracy has the same right as any other to make friends.
- China’s reaction showed why that matters.
(Photo: X, @ChingteLai)