Brussels: Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s recent trip to Brussels and her address to the European Parliament were facilitated by the European Union and the Belgian government and were not linked to any quid pro quo, the organizers said Sunday.

According to Focus Taiwan, the invitation was “freely” extended for Hsiao to attend the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and to address the European Parliament. She delivered a speech titled “Taiwan: A Trusted Partner in a Volatile World” on Friday. This event marked the first occasion a Taiwanese vice president visited a non-allied country and spoke in the European Parliament, as stated by Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

Following Hsiao’s return from the historic trip, online rumors began circulating. These rumors alleged that the trip was facilitated due to financial support from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, an NGO funded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The foundation is known for promoting democracy in the region.