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| Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te attend an official ceremony in Taipei as both nations reaffirm strong diplomatic ties amid rising pressure from China. |
By SCN NEWS
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has reaffirmed his country’s strong diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, rejecting growing pressure from China to sever ties with the self-governed island.
Speaking during an official event in Taipei, Peña said Paraguay highly values its partnership with Taiwan and remains committed to strengthening cooperation based on shared democratic values, freedom, and human rights.
Paraguay is currently the only country in South America that officially recognizes Taiwan and one of only 12 nations worldwide maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te thanked Paraguay for its continued support and backing of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, saying relations between the two countries are expected to grow even stronger.
The statements came shortly after China publicly urged Paraguay to “make the right choice” by cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognizing Beijing under the “One China” policy.
During the visit, both countries signed several cooperation agreements, including an artificial intelligence computing center investment memorandum aimed at expanding technological collaboration.
Peña also called on the international community to recognize Taiwan’s right to participate in global institutions, warning that excluding Taiwan from the United Nations system undermines fairness and democratic representation.
The diplomatic tensions highlight Beijing’s ongoing campaign to isolate Taiwan internationally while increasing political and military pressure around the island.
Meanwhile, discussions have intensified across Latin America after Honduras switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2023. Reports suggest the Honduran government is now reviewing several agreements signed with Beijing.
China and Taiwan have remained separately governed since 1949 following the Chinese civil war, though Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory.