Taiwan's vice president got around China's diplomatic blockade to appear at a European democracy forum in Italy, a win for Taipei and an embarrassment for Beijing.

• Hsiao Bi-khim flew in through a third country to reach the island of Ventotene, where a European freedom and democracy forum is being held.
• A European Parliament vice president announced her arrival on stage and the room broke into loud applause.
• Her trip was kept secret beforehand because China had been pressing organizers to block her.
• Organizers said plainly that nobody, China included, gets to decide who speaks there.
• Beijing filed formal protests with Italy and the EU; Taipei answered that China has no say over an invitation to a European Parliament event.

Outlook: Expect more Chinese pressure on European governments as Taiwan keeps finding side doors into high-profile events in Europe.