Taiwan's vice president made a surprise appearance at a European democracy conference in Italy, a symbolic win for Taipei and a public snub to Beijing.

• Hsiao Bi-khim landed on the small Italian island of Ventotene to join a conference on democracy and freedom.
• Her trip was kept secret beforehand to avoid Chinese pressure to block it.
• European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno announced the visit on stage, saying no one, including China, gets to decide who speaks there.
• Other attendees include Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk of Ukraine, framing Taiwan alongside other frontline democracies.

Outlook: Beijing is likely to protest to Rome and Brussels, while Taiwan keeps using European forums to widen its diplomatic space.