Taiwan President to Visit Paraguay Next Month, Potentially Including U.S. Stopovers

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will visit Paraguay next month to further reflect the deep diplomatic ties between the two countries, Paraguayan President Santiago Pea said Monday.

The visit, planned in about 30 days, highlights the resolve of Paraguay to remain in its relations with Taiwan which is allegedly only known South American nation that maintains an official level of relations with the self-governing island that is believed to be under the sovereignty of China.

Speaking at a bilateral investment conference in Asuncion, Peña expressed enthusiasm for hosting President Lai, emphasizing shared democratic values and Taiwan’s significant investments in Paraguay.

“We are preparing anxiously and with much affection to receive President Lai,” Peña said, noting that the visit aims to elevate collaboration between the two nations. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, accompanied by a delegation of about 30 business leaders, also attended the conference, highlighting economic cooperation.

• Taiwan President Lai Ching-te to Visit Paraguay, Strengthening Rare Diplomatic Ties in South America
• Paraguay Reaffirms Support for Taiwan Ahead of President Lai’s Visit Amid Regional Shift Toward China
• Lai Ching-te’s Paraguay and Belize Tour Highlights Taiwan’s Strategic Alliances in Latin America

The unwavering support of Paraguay as one of the 12 countries in the world that still acknowledge Taipei as a diplomatic partner comes at a time when China is putting the heat on Taiwan, which it claims as part of the kingdom. Various countries of Latin America have recently changed to the side of Beijing being attracted by economic advantages. Nevertheless, Pea, reiterated the position of Paraguay, saying, we do not ignore China, but we are aware of self determination of the people of Taiwan.

During his tour, Lai is expected to make a stopover in the United States, a move that will not augur well with Beijing, which has always criticized such stops. Such stops, as it has been characterized as common practice among Taiwanese leaders since they can be done outside the radius of Taiwan, are important in the consideration that the United States plays the most important role in supporting Taiwan as its main international ally and arms dealer. The presidential office of Taiwan and the U.S. State Department did not reply to requests about the itinerary immediately and Taiwan in the past has confirmed similar trips to Washington under a tight lid near their time of occurrence.

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Lai will also be visiting Belize during his regional visit that has further cemented Taiwan friendship with its last allies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Pea highlighted the importance of these alliances globally when he said, “This is to show the world that small countries have the capacity to become major global players.”. The visit indicates that Paraguay is determined to continue its traditional relations with Taiwan irrespective of the changes toekn towards china in the region.