Paraguay’s president visits Taiwan as pressure from China grows
Pena is leading a business delegation and will witness cooperation agreements as China pressures Paraguay to switch recognition to Beijing.
- On Thursday, Paraguayan President Santiago Pena arrived in Taiwan for an official state visit, his fourth trip to the island. President Lai Ching-te will welcome Pena with military honors and confer the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon on Friday.
- Paraguay remains one of 12 nations maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a democracy Beijing claims as its territory. China has ramped up efforts to lure remaining allies, inviting at least 19 Paraguayan lawmakers on all-expenses-paid trips since late 2023.
- Leading a delegation of more than 40 representatives from Paraguayan businesses, Pena aims to expand industrial and economic exchanges. He will receive an honorary doctorate from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology during his stay.
- Reaffirming his commitment to Taipei, Pena said, "Paraguay and Taiwan share a friendship built on a solid foundation, democracy, freedom, confidence in institutions, the dignity of hard work." Beijing's spokesperson Lin Jian urged Paraguay to "sever so-called diplomatic relations."
- Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim praised Pena's "passion for serving the people of Paraguay" during a Taipei event. This visit underscores Paraguay's commitment to Taiwan despite economic enticements and pressure from Beijing.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Taiwan welcomes Paraguay leader as China ramps up pressure
TAIPEI — Taiwan rolled out the red carpet for Paraguay President Santiago Pena on Friday, as the democratic island shores up ties with its only South American ally in a rebuff to China’s diplomatic pressure. Taipei has only 12 diplomatic allies after Beijing, which claims Taiwan is part of its territory, systematically poached the others in a bid to isolate the self-governed island. Pena is leading a delegation of government officials and busine…
The Record
Paraguay and Taiwan reaffirm ties after China sought to lure away another Taipei ally
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña said Friday that his country deeply values its ties with Taiwan, in a show of solidarity with the island democracy a day after Beijing asked the South American nation to sever diplomatic…
Paraguay Defies Beijing, Strengthens ‘Principled Partnership’ With Taiwan to Guard National Security
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña spoke out in favor of democratic solidarity on May 7 in Taiwan, directly challenging the expanding influence of the People’s Republic of China in the Western Hemisphere. As Beijing issued stern demands for the South American nation to sever ties with the self-ruled island, Peña countered by doubling down on a “principled partnership” with Taipei—an alliance he framed as a vital bulwark for economic independence…
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