The European Commission reportedly withdrew from the 2nd European Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy (10–12 September 2026) after Taiwan’s Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim made a surprise appearance. The event was organised by the European Parliament on the Italian island where the Ventotene Manifesto, a founding text of European federalism, was written. Hsiao attended with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and her visit was kept secret until the last minute for security reasons.
Beijing lodged “solemn protests” with Italy and the EU and called the move “despicable and ultimately futile.” According to press reports, the Commission’s Representation in Italy then had its logo removed from conference materials and cancelled the planned speech of its official, who was already on his way to the island.
The conference also brought together dissidents and activists including Yulia Navalnaya, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Nobel Peace laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk. The Commission’s withdrawal drew sharp criticism. On 18 September, Polish MEPs Mariusz Kamiński and Beata Szydło (ECR) submitted a priority question asking who made the decision and whether Chinese authorities had contacted the Commission beforehand. The Commission has not yet responded.
Source :
https://rome.europarl.europa.eu/Seconda-Conferenza-di-Ventotene-10-12-settembre-2026
P-10-2026-003751_EN PRC Taiwan
