Paraguay expels Chinese envoy over alleged interference in support of Taiwan

Why Paraguay kicks out a visiting Chinese diplomat Xu Wei

Paraguay expelled senior Chinese diplomat Xu Wei on Thursday, accusing him of interfering in its internal affairs by urging the country to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revoked Xu’s visa and declared him persona non grata, giving him 24 hours to leave the country.

Diplomatic controversy at UNESCO meeting

Xu Wei, a Chinese envoy to Latin America, was in Paraguay for an annual UNESCO meeting but skipped the session to attend Paraguay’s Congress in Asunción. During his visit, Xu caused a diplomatic uproar by urging lawmakers to abandon Taiwan in favor of establishing relations with Beijing.

“It is either China or Taiwan,” Xu told Paraguayan lawmakers, emphasizing that the decision lay with Paraguay. He dangled promises of expanded trade with China, citing benefits such as increased access to Chinese markets for Paraguayan soybeans and beef.

Paraguay’s firm commitment to Taiwan

Paraguay remains the only South American country to recognize Taiwan, maintaining diplomatic ties that date back to 1957. It is also one of just 12 nations worldwide that officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. Despite pressure from Beijing, Paraguay has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s self-governance, viewing the partnership as an enduring symbol of shared values and cooperation.

Taiwan’s embassy in Paraguay strongly condemned Xu’s actions on Wednesday, calling him an “infiltrator” attempting to undermine the long-standing friendship between Paraguay and Taiwan.

China’s growing influence in Latin America

China has steadily expanded its influence in Latin America, with trade between China and the region reaching $500 billion by 2023. In recent years, four Latin American countries—Honduras, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador—have switched allegiance from Taiwan to China under Beijing’s one-China policy, which demands countries sever ties with Taiwan in exchange for full diplomatic relations with China.

From the Congress building in Asunción, partially funded by Taiwan, Xu pitched Beijing’s interest in formalizing ties with Paraguay. However, his remarks sparked backlash, reinforcing Paraguay’s resolve to uphold its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.

A diplomatic line in the sand

Paraguay’s swift expulsion of Xu Wei underscores the nation’s resistance to external pressures as it seeks to balance diplomatic principles with economic challenges. While some Paraguayan lawmakers advocate for stronger trade relations with China, the government has chosen to stand by Taiwan, signaling the strength of their bilateral relationship amid rising geopolitical tensions.

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