Paraguay and Taiwan reaffirm ties after China sought to lure away another Taipei ally 

Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, left, accompanied by Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen, delivers a speech during a military welcome ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan, Friday [AP Photo]

Paraguay is the only country in South America to recognize Taiwan and one of just 12 worldwide. Beijing considers Taiwan its own territory and has ramped up a campaign over the past few years to lure Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, in addition to increasing military pressure around the island.

At a military honors event, Peña said the ceremony symbolizes the unwavering determination between both sides to continuously deepen their ties and partnership, according to an interpreter. He said based on the foundation of shared values such as democracy, freedom and human rights, it will continue to support Taiwan and promote bilateral strategic partnership.

“Paraguay highly values the relationship,” the interpreter quoted him as saying outside the Taiwan’s presidential office.

Taiwan’s leader Lai Ching-te thanked his counterpart and Paraguay’s government for speaking out for Taiwan and firmly supporting Taiwan’s international participation.

“I believe the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay will further deepen and their cooperation will become closer through the visit of President Peña,” Lai said.

The reaffirmation of ties came after Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday urged Paraguayan authorities to “come to the right side of the history as soon as possible” and sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. He said the one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and 183 countries have formed diplomatic relations with China.

On Friday, Lin made similar comments at a press briefing in Beijing, again urging Paraguayan authorities to sever ties with Taiwan.

In their bilateral meeting at the presidential office Friday, Peña said his country solemnly called on the international community to recognize that the people of Taiwan should have the right to make their own decisions based on the principles of democracy and fairness.

In an interview with Taiwan’s Central News Agency, Peña said he met Honduran President Nasry Asfura on the sidelines of an event before arriving Thursday for the four-day trip.

While Peña said they did not directly discuss whether Honduras would reestablish ties with the island, he told Asfura that his nation had a great relationship with Taiwan, the report said.

Honduras established diplomatic ties with China in 2023 after breaking off relations with Taiwan.

Asfura, who was elected president with the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, has ordered a review of agreements between Tegucigalpa and Beijing. This has fueled expectations that Honduras will distance itself from China, in line with a Trump administration campaign to reduce Chinese influence and economic clout in Latin America.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin said cooperation between China and Honduras is not directed against any third party and should not be interfered with.

Last week, Lai visited Eswatini, Taipei’s last remaining diplomatic partner in Africa, after being forced to postpone the trip when several countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories reportedly over Chinese pressure.

China neither confirmed nor denied the allegations but instead expressed “high appreciation” for the countries’ adherence to the so-called “one China principle,” referring to Beijing’s claims over Taiwan. JOHNSON LAI & KANIS LEUNG, TAIPEI, MDT/AP