Paraguay says will defend ties with Taiwan, host its president
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (left) and Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez shake hands after delivering a press statement at the Foreign Ministry in Asuncion, on July 11.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
Asuncion - Paraguay, Taiwan’s only remaining diplomatic ally in South America, vowed July 14 to defend its ties with the self-governing democracy claimed by China and announced its president Lai Ching-te will visit in August.
President Santiago Pena hosted Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung on a visit to Asuncion with a delegation of around 30 business leaders.
“Paraguay is ready to defend this 68-year relationship, which is based on democratic principles and values, with all its strength and with a loud voice,” Mr Pena said, adding Taiwan has been “tremendously generous” with its investments in his country.
“We do not disregard China, but we recognise the self-determination of the people of Taiwan,” with which Paraguay hoped to move to “a higher level of collaboration”, he added.
Mr Lai, Mr Pena announced at an investment forum, will visit Paraguay in 30 days, with it looking likely that the Taiwanese leader will make transit stops in the US.
Mr Lai has yet to go to the US since US President Donald Trump took office for the second time earlier this year, though late last year he had transited Hawaii and the US territory of Guam while visiting the Pacific.
The US State Department also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the possibility of a Lai transit next month.
However, China’s foreign ministry on July 14 reiterated its opposition to any visit to the US by Mr Lai, having routinely denounced US stopovers of Taiwanese presidents.
Among those in attendance on July 14 were Mr Terry Tsao, a senior executive at semiconductor company SEMI, as well as representatives of the Taiwanese IT, communications, smart transportation, agriculture, construction and building industries.
Taiwan is a global chip powerhouse, producing more than half of the world’s semiconductors, vital for powering the latest generative Artificial Intelligence models. AFP, REUTERS
