A senior EU lawmaker has openly defied Chinese pressure by hosting Taiwan's vice president in Italy and accepting an invitation to visit Taiwan — a win for Taipei's push for international standing and a setback for Beijing.

• European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno invited Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim to speak at a democracy forum on the Italian island of Ventotene, calling her a model for the fight for human rights and women's rights.
• China protested strongly to both Italy and the EU, but Picierno pushed back that Beijing has no say over the European Parliament's agenda.
• She confirmed she will travel to Taiwan soon, with planning to start within weeks, saying cooperation with Taipei is just getting started.
• Picierno has been under Italian state protection for over a year after threats from authoritarian governments including Russia, and says she sees Russia, China, and North Korea as an aligned bloc.
• She rejects any compromise with governments that violate human rights, arguing only popular demand for freedom can wear down authoritarian rule.

Outlook: Expect Beijing to escalate its objections as the Taiwan trip is scheduled, while Taipei banks more European political support.