Taipei: Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim participated in a hiking event promoting sustainability in New Taipei, accompanied by European Union (EU) Representative to Taiwan Lutz Gllner.

According to Focus Taiwan, the event was organized by the Ministry of Environment (MOENV), inviting participants to trek up a 3.5-kilometer trail to the summit of Guanyinshan, with an added focus on collecting trash along the route. Hsiao expressed that the event felt "especially meaningful," particularly after her recent visit to Belgium, where she collaborated with European partners.

Vice President Hsiao, who recently addressed the 2025 Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit in Brussels, reiterated Taiwan's commitment to collaborate with the EU in promoting sustainability initiatives. Meanwhile, EU Representative Gllner highlighted the event's purpose of demonstrating that environmental protection begins with simple actions and is a mutual objective for both the EU and Taiwan.

In line with its low-carbon agenda, the MOENV announced that the event, which was accessible to the general public, prohibited bottled water and encouraged the use of public transportation or carpooling. However, despite the emphasis on trail cleanup and eco-friendly practices, event photos shared by organizers did not show any visible evidence of trash collection, such as bags or sorted waste.

Instead, participants were seen holding commemorative towels and a newly printed plastic banner with the slogan "Hike Green," as well as using disposable meal boxes. When asked by CNA about the total quantity of trash collected, the MOENV stated that they did not have specific data on the amount.