Paraguay’s President Reaffirms Ties with Taiwan Amid Pressure from China
During an official visit to Taipei, Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña emphasized the significance of maintaining his country’s relationship with Taiwan. This comes as the Chinese Communist Party continues to exert pressure on Paraguay to switch its allegiance.
Peña arrived in Taipei and shortly after, he met with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung. He has plans to meet with President Lai Qingtoku on Friday.
Currently, Paraguay has full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and it is notable as one of just 12 countries globally that recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign entity, being the only such nation in South America. Peña mentioned on social media that his visit’s primary goal is to enhance the strategic partnership shared by the two nations.
“Taiwan is an essential partner for Paraguay, and every meeting is a chance to turn that friendship into meaningful outcomes for our people,” Peña expressed.
Following his meeting with Foreign Minister Lin, he pointed out the similarities between Paraguay and Taiwan, especially regarding their economic performance on the global stage, asserting, “Our model, our development vision, shows that we have a common vision.”
Peña also noted the friendly relations between the nations, announcing that Paraguay would “represent” Taiwan at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. He intends to formally present this proposal to President Lai. In a show of support, the Taiwanese embassy in Paraguay declared that Taiwan will back Paraguay during the soccer tournament.
Lin Chia-lung, welcoming Peña and his delegation, shared messages on social media about Taiwan’s appreciation for its friendship with Paraguay. “We’re eager to strengthen our cooperation in areas such as trade, education, technology, and smart transportation,” Lin stated.
During a conversation with Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Peña invited Taiwanese investment in Paraguay, highlighting the country’s strong economic performance and political stability. He remarked that Paraguay, being the only country in the region with ties to Taiwan, has excelled compared to its neighbors, positioning it as a possible hub for Latin American market expansion.
“My goal is to persuade the Taiwanese business sector that Paraguay is an excellent place for investment, independent of diplomatic considerations,” he asserted, adding, “There’s no better place to do business in Latin America than Paraguay.”
For decades, Paraguay has maintained its ties with Taiwan, resisting the Chinese government’s pressures to sever nearly 60 years of relations and adhere to its “One China Principle,” which regards Taiwan as a “province” of China.
In a previous address at the United Nations General Assembly, Peña advocated for Taiwan’s membership in the U.N., stressing this request is a matter of “strict justice.” He highlighted that sustaining relations with Taiwan would bring invaluable benefits, even if it might result in economic setbacks from not aligning with China.
When questioned by EFE about Peña’s Taipei visit, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated their stance, urging Paraguay to “come to the right side of history” by accepting the “one China” principle and severing ties with Taiwan.
