TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) delivered a historic speech at the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, in what was the first time a sitting Taiwanese vice president has addressed the institution. 

Speaking at the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, Hsiao said peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait were essential for global prosperity, per Channel News Asia. She also underlined the shared values between Taiwan and the EU. 

Drawing further parallels between Taiwan and the EU, she mentioned cyberattacks and sabotage of undersea internet cables attributed to China, and the hybrid threats European nations have faced since Russia invaded Ukraine. She called for deeper cooperation on defense and cybersecurity, infrastructure, and democratic innovation.

“In an era marked by increasing fragmentation, volatility and rising authoritarianism, this gathering affirms something vital — that democracies, even when far apart, are not alone,” she was quoted as saying.

Hsiao also underlined Taiwan's role as a trusted partner in global economic resilience, especially in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and AI. The vice president concluded her speech by urging democracies worldwide to be united against authoritarianism.   

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) accompanied Hsiao on her visit to Belgium. 

China commented that the visit and speech "gravely violates the one-China principle.”