TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s EU envoy Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) said Tuesday that a woman removed from a restricted area before Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s (蕭美琴) speech in Italy was suspected of gathering intelligence for China.
Hsiao spoke at the second Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy on Friday. Her visit was not disclosed until she arrived in Italy to reduce the risk of Chinese interference. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Shieh, who represents Taiwan at the EU and in Belgium, accompanied her.
Shieh wrote on Facebook that about three hours before the speech, he saw a “young woman with Asian features” sitting alone on a bench outside the venue and looking at her phone. A member of the security team became suspicious because the area was otherwise empty and access was restricted, per Liberty Times.
The woman reportedly told the security staffer that she was part of the cleaning crew for the next event. However, the organizers had not hired any cleaners, Shieh said. The staffer told her to leave immediately or accompany him to a police station for questioning.
Shieh said those present believed the woman had been sent by China to gather intelligence. He added that it was a pity she had not returned to hear Hsiao’s speech, as she might have been inspired by the vice president’s message of freedom and democracy.
