Hsiao’s trip creates new diplomatic model: official
‘TEAM TAIWAN DIPLOMACY’: High-level interactions between Taiwan and Europe are deepening, shifting from ‘highly sensitive’ exceptions to a new interactive mode
By Huang Ching-hsuan and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Taiwan-Europe relations continue to deepen as Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) frequently visits non-allied European countries under a “Team Taiwan Diplomacy” working model, a foreign affairs official said yesterday.
Hsiao was invited to the Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy last week after she attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China in Brussels in November last year.
An official speaking on condition of anonymity said that this shows that high-level interactions between Taiwan and Europe are deepening, shifting from “highly sensitive” exceptions to a new interactive mode.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, second left, attends the Second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy last week.
Photo from Hsiao’s Facebook page
Frontline diplomatic and security teams were highly discreet about Hsiao’s visit to Italy in terms of itinerary planning, communication with European personnel and emergency response, given that it was a vice president-level visit to a non-allied nation, the official said.
Alert levels were also raised after President William Lai’s (賴清德) visit to Eswatini in April was disrupted by China’s weaponization of flight information regions, they said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately reported to Lai after it received the invitation from the conference, the official said.
The ministry discussed the invitation with Hsiao and personnel from the offices of the president and vice president, as well as the national security team, they said.
The official cited Lai as saying that Taiwan should seize every opportunity that helps expand its international space and deepen partnerships with like-minded countries, the official said.
Lai ordered the ministry and relevant teams to facilitate and asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to communicate with involved parties, they said.
Lai also hosted the itinerary and contingency meeting before Hsiao’s departure and ordered officials to “follow the host country’s lead,” the official said.
Hsiao’s two visits to Europe brought about a new diplomatic working model, they said.
Lai provides strategic direction and political authorization, while Lin and the diplomatic team continue to expand Taiwan’s political credit and activities in Europe, the official said, adding that Hsiao can transform the diplomatic gains into higher-level political interactions based on her extensive diplomatic experience and strong connections in Western countries.
Another foreign affairs official yesterday said the balance between diplomatic breakthroughs and security is also a key concern.
Hsiao’s schedule was not announced prior to the visit to ensure her safety, they said, adding that it took the delegation 27 hours to travel by plane, vehicle and ferry to Italy.
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