Taiwan's vice president spoke at a democracy forum in Italy, and Washington quietly backed the trip — a small but real win for Taiwan's push to be treated like a normal country.

• 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 relationships with other countries bring big benefits to their citizens, including in Europe.
• Italy's foreign minister said Rome had no contact with Beijing about the visit, and that Italy sticks to its One China policy while still backing the status quo.
• The European Parliament vice president who invited her pushed back at China, saying it has no right to decide who Taiwan talks to — and plans to visit Taiwan soon.

Outlook: Expect more European lawmakers to visit Taiwan and more friction with Beijing over who gets to host Taiwanese officials.