Taiwan is pushing back against China's diplomatic isolation campaign by courting European allies, a win for Taipei's international standing.

• Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim spoke as guest of honour at a European freedom and democracy forum on Italy's Ventotene island.
• Her message: Taiwanese people have the same right as anyone else to make friends and speak with them.
• She called herself a "fighting cat" — small and soft, but agile enough to survive in tight spots and jump many times its own height.
• Italy's former deputy foreign minister framed defending Taiwan's democracy as a strategic priority for Europe, not just a far-away issue.
• The shared pitch: differences should be settled peacefully so big countries cannot dictate the future of small ones.

Outlook: Expect Beijing to protest the trip, while Taiwan keeps using European forums to build support outside formal diplomatic channels.