Culture as diplomacy. “Art is a bridge – observes Ambassador Vincent Tsai – that allows distant peoples to understand each other better, and Italy, with its extraordinary heritage, is a natural partner.”
- Taiwan’s office in Italy has built a strong cultural footprint: 305 events, ranging from art exhibitions to film festivals, in the last five years.
- 2025 is the Year of Taiwanese Culture in Europe: Venice Biennale, Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Lucca Comics & Games, among others.
- Tsai aims to build “a platform to enter the European cultural space firmly.”
Language as identity. “The main goal is to expand the international market for the Chinese language and to promote the teaching of traditional Chinese, which reflects Taiwanese culture.”
- Taiwan Centres for Mandarin Learning (TCML): 88 worldwide, 3 in Italy (Rome, Siena, Milan).
- “These courses contribute to a greater understanding of Taiwan among Italian students and increase sensitivity toward international developments.”
- The Taiwan Study Centre at Sapienza, Roma Tre, and UniSiena add academic depth.
Global politics: UN and G7. “When the G7 held its Foreign Ministers’ meeting from November 25 to 26, 2024, in Fiuggi and Anagni, under the Italian presidency, the final communiqué reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait… supporting meaningful participation of Taiwan in international organisations.”
- Mr Tsai: “Italy has supported Taiwan’s participation, as an observer or in unofficial form, in international organisations” such as ICAO, WHO, UNFCCC, and Interpol.
- Taiwan contests the misuse of UN Resolution 2758, which “does not mention Taiwan at all” and does not give Beijing the right to represent it.
Italy’s role. Italy’s foreign policy focus on “building bridges” makes it a natural partner. “We hope that Italy will continue to support Taiwan’s participation as an observer in ICAO and its meaningful participation in United Nations organisations,” said Tsai.
- Supporting Taiwan’s inclusion in multilateral frameworks would align with Rome’s stance on international law and inclusive cooperation. For Taipei, excluding 23 million people from the UN activities (such as the UN’s 2030 goals or ICAO) undermines the spirit of the Agenda itself and collective security.