TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) emphasized positive relations with Europe Saturday after Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) delivered a historic speech at the European Parliament building in Brussels.

Hsiao spoke at the annual meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China inside the parliament building Friday, the first such address at the location by a sitting Taiwan vice president. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) accompanied her on her trip to Belgium.

In a post on X, Lai described Taiwan as a trusted partner to the international community. Taiwan stands firmly with Europe and other like-minded friends to resolutely defend democracy, the president wrote.

Hsiao’s speech in Brussels also bore the title “A Trusted Partner in a Volatile World,” per CNA. She was expected to arrive back Sunday evening at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where she would make a short statement.