Taiwan pushed deeper into Europe this week, with Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim meeting senior European Parliament figures in Italy — a quiet win for Taipei's effort to build friends in Europe.

• Hsiao spoke at a freedom and democracy forum on the Italian island of Ventotene, on a panel about resisting authoritarian rule from the Indo-Pacific to the Mediterranean.
• She and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung attended a dinner hosted by European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno, alongside Italian and EU politicians.
• They also met Valérie Hayer, who leads the Renew Europe group, to talk about security threats, economic pressure from China, and building national resilience.
• Lin raised Taiwan-France chip cooperation and pitched Taiwan as a partner in rebuilding European industry.
• Getting there took 27 hours by plane, car, and boat through rough seas — a reminder of how far Taipei will go for face time with European officials.

Outlook: Expect more Taiwanese outreach to European lawmakers, and more irritation from Beijing over it.