Italy has refused to back down after Beijing protested Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's appearance at a European forum — a small but notable win for Taiwan's push for more space abroad.

• Hsiao spoke as guest of honor at a freedom and democracy forum on the Italian island of Ventotene, invited by a European Parliament vice president.
• China's foreign ministry lodged formal protests with both Italy and the EU over the visit.
• Italy's foreign minister Tajani said Rome has had no contact with Beijing about it, and that Italy sticks to its One China policy while also supporting keeping things as they are in the region.
• Hsiao used the platform to argue Taiwan has the right to make friends everywhere in the world.

Outlook: Expect Beijing to keep pressuring European governments over Taiwanese visits, while Europe keeps threading the line between formal policy and quiet engagement.