Taipei: Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Monday that her recent visit to the Italian island of Ventotene was rewarding because she saw a growing number of international friends willing to learn about Taiwan and hear its story. "Throughout this journey, I have once again felt the international community's concern for Taiwan and encountered a growing number of good friends willing to learn about Taiwan and hear its story," Hsiao said at Taoyuan International Airport on Monday morning upon returning from Italy.

According to Focus Taiwan, Hsiao attended the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy last week. She remarked on the historical significance of Ventotene, where political dissidents, including Altiero Spinelli, were detained during World War II. This history underscores the importance of her message that no island is too small to have a voice, drawing parallels between Ventotene and Taiwan.

Hsiao emphasized the ongoing challenges democracies face worldwide, including authoritarianism and attempts to alter the status quo, which Taiwan is familiar with. She pledged that both Europe and Taiwan would remain committed to upholding a free and democratic way of life and maintaining regional peace and prosperity.

The trip was not announced in advance to avoid "unnecessary interference," particularly from China. According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) press release issued Monday, Hsiao was invited by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno and Carlo Corazza to speak at the conference. During the visit, Hsiao and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung met with several European officials and toured significant historical sites on the island.