Taiwan's vice president landed in Italy for a public appearance, and Beijing responded with angry protests to both Rome and Brussels — a sign that Taiwan's outreach to Europe is gaining ground.

• Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim traveled to Italy to attend an event, breaking with the usual limits on Taiwanese officials in Europe.
• China's foreign ministry called her a "Taiwan independence politician," refusing to use her name or title, and said the trip was "shameless" and doomed to fail.
• Beijing said it lodged formal complaints with Italy and with European authorities over the visit.
• China repeated its standard line: one China, Taiwan as part of China, and no official contact between Taipei and countries that recognize Beijing.

Outlook: Expect more Chinese pressure on European capitals as Taiwan keeps testing how far it can push high-level visits.