Taiwan is quietly deepening its ties with Europe, a small but real diplomatic win for Taipei and an irritation for Beijing.

• Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim attended a freedom and democracy forum on the Italian island of Ventotene, joined by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
• A European Parliament vice president, Pina Picierno, hosted a dinner for the Taiwanese delegation alongside other EU and Italian officials.
• Lin met Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer to talk about security threats, economic coercion, and chip cooperation with France.
• Taiwan is pitching itself as a partner in Europe's push to rebuild its own industrial base, with Taiwanese firms already invested around Milan.

Outlook: Expect more Taiwan-EU business and chip deals, and sharper protests from China over each one.