Diplomatic Tensions Rise Between Paraguay, China, and Taiwan

Photo: OEA-OAS Flickr.

The recent visit of Xu Wei, China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for Latin America, to Paraguay’s Congress has heightened diplomatic tensions between Paraguay, China, and Taiwan. Xu Wei urged the Paraguayan government to prioritize relations with Beijing and sever ties with Taiwan, emphasizing that it is not possible to maintain relations with both nations. These statements, rooted in the “One China” policy, were strongly rejected by Taiwan’s embassy, which reaffirmed Taiwan’s sovereignty and condemned China’s actions as attempts to undermine its historic relationship with Paraguay.

Paraguay, the only South American country maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan for more than six decades, faces increasing pressure due to China’s political and economic weight in the region. While President Santiago Peña’s government has expressed interest in exploring trade agreements with Beijing through Mercosur, it has insisted that it will not break its relationship with Taiwan. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Darío Ramírez Lezcano reaffirmed this commitment during his visit to the island on November 29, emphasizing that Paraguay will not accept conditions requiring it to sever ties with Taiwan.

China, which considers Taiwan a rebellious province, has intensified its campaign to internationally isolate the island, using economic and diplomatic incentives to persuade countries like Paraguay. China’s growing influence in Latin America and Xu Wei’s meetings with Paraguayan legislators highlight the complexity of the country’s foreign relations. While some legislators defend the alliance with Taiwan, others advocate strengthening ties with China to prioritize commercial interests.

In a context where Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have dwindled, as seen recently with Honduras, Paraguay remains a steadfast ally of the island. However, the ongoing dispute between China and Taiwan continues to challenge the strategic decisions of Latin American governments.

Main Source:

Taiwán denunció una infiltración de China para socavar su relación con Paraguay – Infobae

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