Taiwan's vice president spoke at a democracy forum in Italy and got quiet backing from Washington — good news for Taiwan's push into Europe, bad news for Beijing.

• Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim attended a European freedom and democracy forum on the Italian island of Ventotene, her second trip to Europe within a year.
• The US State Department said Taiwan's ties with other countries bring real benefits to those countries' citizens, Europe included.
• Italy's foreign minister said there was no contact with Beijing over the visit, and that Italy sticks to its one-China policy while still supporting the status quo.
• The European Parliament vice president who invited her pushed back at China, saying it has no right to decide, and accepted an invitation to visit Taiwan soon.

Outlook: Expect more Taiwan-Europe visits and sharper Chinese protests, with Italy trying to keep both sides calm.