Brussels: In a rare and politically charged move, Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim made a high-profile visit to Europe this week, addressing lawmakers at the European Parliament and emphasizing Taiwan’s steadfast commitment to democracy, freedom, and international cooperation. The visit one of the few by such a senior Taiwanese official in recent years underscores Taipei’s growing diplomatic outreach and Europe’s increasingly nuanced approach toward China-Taiwan relations.
Hsiao’s appearance in Brussels came during the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), hosted within the European Parliament. Her participation represented a significant symbolic moment for Taiwan, which has long been excluded from formal international organizations due to Beijing’s pressure. Standing before European lawmakers, the Vice President drew parallels between Europe’s history of defending liberty and Taiwan’s struggle to preserve democracy in the face of authoritarian threats.
“Europe has defended freedom under fire, and Taiwan has defended democracy under pressure,” Hsiao declared. “I stand here as a voice for a society deeply committed to the ideals that animate the parliaments of democracy around the world.” Her speech, met with applause, reflected Taiwan’s broader strategy to expand its visibility and influence through soft diplomacy, parliamentary engagement, and people-to-people exchanges.
Beijing reacted sharply to the visit, calling it a grave violation of the one-China principle. In a statement issued by China’s Mission to the European Union, officials accused Taiwan of undermining the foundations of China-EU political trust and interfering in internal affairs. “Any actions that challenge the one-China principle will damage China-EU relations and regional stability,” the statement read.
China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any official contact between the island’s leaders and foreign governments. The appearance of Taiwan’s vice president in a European legislative body therefore represents a direct challenge to Beijing’s stance and risks escalating diplomatic tensions across the continent.
Despite the risks, Taiwan continues to strengthen its presence in Europe through unofficial and parliamentary channels. The island maintains formal diplomatic ties only with the Holy See, but in recent years it has cultivated strong informal relationships with several European capitals. Hsiao’s visit, according to diplomatic observers, reflects a deliberate effort to build parliamentary alliances that support Taiwan’s democratic narrative and counter Beijing’s growing influence.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry described the visit as a “milestone of friendship,” emphasizing that global democracies must stand together against coercion. Officials said the trip was aimed at reinforcing mutual values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.
In her address, Hsiao also highlighted the need for global unity in safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait a region she described as “the cornerstone of global prosperity.” The Vice President urged European leaders to recognize the broader implications of Taiwan’s security, noting that any escalation in the region would disrupt international trade and undermine global economic stability.
“Taiwan’s story is not one of isolation but of resilience,” she said. “We continue to engage the world, not through confrontation, but through shared values and peaceful cooperation.”
Hsiao’s visit marks an important chapter in Taiwan’s evolving foreign policy, which increasingly seeks to deepen ties beyond its traditional partners. For Europe, the event poses both an opportunity and a challenge to affirm its democratic principles while managing a delicate balance with Beijing, its largest trading partner.
While the trip has drawn Beijing’s ire, it also signifies a quiet but growing recognition of Taiwan’s democratic maturity and strategic importance. For Taipei, it represents a triumph of visibility and moral diplomacy; for Beijing, an unwelcome reminder that its efforts to isolate Taiwan are far from absolute.
As the global community watches closely, Hsiao’s message in Brussels resounds with both hope and defiance: the defense of democracy, she suggested, begins with courage even when it comes at the cost of confrontation.