Vice President Hsiao issues remarks after returning from conference on freedom and democracy in Ventotene, Italy

In response to an invitation to attend the Second European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, acting upon the designation of President Lai Ching-te, traveled to the Italian island of Ventotene for the conference, where she delivered a speech. Accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), the vice president concluded her journey and returned to Taiwan on the morning of September 14, issuing remarks upon her arrival at Taoyuan International Airport.

In her remarks, Vice President Hsiao stated that this trip underscored that despite differences in culture and geographic location, freedom is a shared language and peace a common aspiration. She said that the challenges democracies face continue to turn up in different places and different forms. Taiwan faces mounting military and gray-zone pressures, she said, but we are firmly committed to our free and democratic way of life and to maintaining regional peace and prosperity. She expressed hope that the visit has helped the international community better understand that however difficult the circumstances, Taiwan will continue to move forward with courage, as one with the world.

A translation of Vice President Hsiao's remarks follows:

Thank you all for coming to the airport so early this morning. It is a great honor to have once again led a delegation abroad to participate in an international conference. I would like to briefly share the significance of this visit and what we gained from it.

With President Lai's full support and in line with his Europe policy, I accepted a joint invitation from Ms. Pina Picierno, vice-president of the European Parliament, and Mr. Carlo Corazza, head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy, to attend the Second European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy on the Italian island of Ventotene.

Ventotene is a small island, but it holds great symbolic meaning in modern European history. During World War II, it was where Altiero Spinelli and other Italians who opposed fascism were held as political prisoners. In that dark period of war and totalitarianism, Spinelli and fellow prisoners began to contemplate how Europe could avoid repeating the tragedies of war, and how countries could work together to maintain peace. They put forward the Ventotene Manifesto, which helped inspire the federalist ideas that drove postwar efforts toward a European union. One could say that Ventotene is the cradle of European integration. Spinelli later served as a member of the European Parliament, and its main building now bears his name.

Over the more than 80 years since then, Europe has emerged from the shadow of a war-torn and totalitarian past. Through the long and arduous process of rebuilding, it has moved step by step from division toward integration, building societies founded on democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

Taiwan likewise traveled a long road from authoritarianism to freedom and democracy. Although our historical circumstances differ, both our experiences show that democracy and freedom are never just handed to us. They are won, put into practice, and protected through the continuing efforts of the people.

Europe today is very different from the Europe of World War II, but the challenges democracies face have never disappeared. Authoritarianism, gray-zone threats, and attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion continue to turn up in different places and different forms. None of this is unfamiliar to Taiwan. During the dialogue, I made a point of explaining to our international friends that Taiwan faces mounting military and gray-zone pressures. Yet, like our friends in Europe, we are firmly committed to our free and democratic way of life and to maintaining regional peace and prosperity.

It was no coincidence that I took part in a dialogue on freedom, democracy, and peace on Ventotene. This small Italian island carries profound historical significance. Despite our differences in culture and being half a world away, we share a language of freedom and an aspiration for peace. That was my deepest impression from attending this conference.

During this journey, I was once again reminded of the international community's concern for Taiwan. More and more friends are open to learning about Taiwan and listening to our story. For me, the greatest significance of this trip goes beyond visiting a place and attending a conference. More importantly, it gave us the opportunity to allow Taiwan's voice to be heard in a place of historical significance, and by more people. In my opening remarks at the dialogue, I emphasized that Ventotene and Taiwan, regardless of their size, both deserve to have their own voices and to be respected. Through this visit, I also wanted to convey a firm message: However difficult the circumstances, Taiwan will continue to move forward with courage, as one with the world.

In addition to participating in the conference and gaining a better understanding of our European friends' topics of interest, I had the opportunity to see hydraulic engineering works on the island dating back more than 2,000 years to the time of Augustus. Italian engineering, architecture, culture, history, and aesthetics – all of it left a deep impression on me.

This visit was not announced before our departure in order to minimize unnecessary interference and ensure that we could reach our destination safely and smoothly. Traveling from Taiwan by plane, car, and ferry took about 27 hours. Along the way, we pressed forward through bad weather and rough seas.

I would like to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to our like-minded international partners who have long been friends of Taiwan. I am especially grateful to Vice-President Picierno for her warm invitation and to our friends for their arrangements throughout the journey. I also want to thank the China Airlines crew members, whose professional and thoughtful service helped make this trip safe and smooth.

I am deeply grateful to everyone in Taiwan for supporting my visit to Europe, and to our friends in the media for their interest. I particularly want to thank Minister Lin for his careful planning as well as his Ministry of Foreign Affairs team, which included Deputy Minister François Chihchung Wu (吳志中), Taiwan Representative to the European Union and Belgium Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉), Taiwan Representative to Italy Y. C. Tsai (蔡允中), and colleagues from various overseas missions. Everyone gave their all and overcame all obstacles. Working together with the Presidential Office team, they drove this European diplomatic initiative forward and strengthened Taiwan's connections and communication with Europe and the wider world. Thank you all for your hard work.

 

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