Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pushing back against Beijing's
criticism of Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's (蕭美琴) ongoing visit to Italy,
saying China has no right to interfere in the trip.

Beijing criticized Hsiao's unannounced trip to Ventotene to attend the
island's European Conference for Freedom and Democracy, which ends today.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing had lodged
solemn representations with Italy and the European Union over the visit.

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) accompanied Hsiao on the trip,
according to MOFA, which declined to disclose further details of their
itinerary.

Meanwhile, Luke de Pulford, executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary
Alliance on China, expressed support for Hsiao's participation.

He said, "The only response to Beijing's attempt to shrink the world for
Taiwanese people is to show that Taiwan is welcome."

CNA_JvW