Italy’s Deputy Senate Speaker Leads Largest-Ever Parliamentary Delegation to Taiwan

Italy’s largest-ever parliamentary delegation to Taiwan has arrived with members from both chambers and from across the country’s political spectrum. Gian Marco Centinaio, Italy’s deputy Senate speaker, said the group’s size reflected the Italian parliament’s strong attention to and support for Taiwan.

The 10-member delegation was welcomed at a luncheon on Aug. 31 by Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Chih-chung. Wu pointed to shared values including diversity and openness, as well as the two sides’ potential to cooperate in technology and electronics.

Semiconductors featured prominently in Taiwan’s message. Wu said Taiwan plays a key role in the global semiconductor supply chain and welcomed the deepening of cooperation with Italy in the sector. He called for further reciprocal cooperation in technology and economic and trade affairs.

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The largest Italian parliamentary delegation ever to visit Taiwan demonstrates the Italian parliament's strong attention to and support for Taiwan.

Centinaio thanked Taiwan for its reception and said delegation members had a favorable view of the island. He said they would continue promoting exchanges and cooperation across sectors to deepen bilateral relations.

The delegation includes senators Enrico Borghi, Daniela Ternullo, Dario Damiani, Silvia Fregolent, Tilde Minasi, Tiziana Nisini and Giusy Versace, along with lower-house members Alessandro Cattaneo and Fabrizio Benzoni. During its visit, it is scheduled to meet President Lai Ching-te, attend a reception hosted by Legislative Yuan Deputy Speaker Chiang Chi-chen, meet former President Tsai Ing-wen and visit government and research bodies, as well as the cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung.

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All the members of the delegation have a strong liking for Taiwan, and in the future we will continue to promote exchanges and cooperation between Italy and Taiwan in all fields and deepen bilateral relations.