Taiwan's vice president returned home from a democracy forum in Italy that Beijing tried to block, a symbolic win for Taipei and a fresh irritant in China-Europe ties.

• Hsiao Bi-khim flew to Italy in secret for a European freedom and democracy forum, and got home safely this weekend.
• China's foreign ministry filed formal complaints with Rome and Brussels, calling her a separatist politician chasing attention.
• Lai Ching-te backed the trip publicly, saying Taiwanese have a natural right to travel the world and make friends.
• Security was heavy on the way back: the China Airlines flight detoured around Chinese airspace and switched off its tracking signal for part of the route.
• The trip took 27 hours, which Taipei read as proof it broke through Beijing's pressure campaign.

Outlook: Expect more Chinese pushback on European governments that host Taiwanese officials, and more low-profile trips from Taipei in response.