Insight: How China is wooing Paraguay’s political class away from longtime ally Taiwan
Background of Paraguay’s Diplomatic Position
Paraguay is one of the 12 countries, and the only one in South America, that does not recognize the One China principle and therefore maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Chinese Diplomatic Efforts
China has consistently urged Paraguay to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan, offering economic incentives and diplomatic pressure to influence its political class.
Chinese officials have repeatedly emphasized that Taiwan is part of China’s territory and that democratically ruled Taiwan has no right to state-to-state ties, a position that Taipei strongly rejects.
Paraguayan Political Reactions
Paraguayan lawmakers, including opposition member Leidy Galeano, have expressed concerns about the economic benefits of aligning with China over Taiwan after attending an all-expenses-paid tour of Chinese cities.
Paraguayan Congressman Hugo Meza has called for a national debate on recognizing mainland China and severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Escalation and Tensions
Paraguay expelled a visiting Chinese envoy in December 2024 after he urged lawmakers to reject Taiwan, accusing him of interfering in domestic affairs.
The incident highlights growing tensions between China and Paraguay over diplomatic alignment.
International Reactions and Context
Analysts note that China has used diplomatic and economic strategies to influence Latin American nations, including Paraguay, to shift away from Taiwan.
Reports suggest that China has encouraged some intermediaries to offer Paraguay Chinese-made products as part of its outreach efforts.
Some media reports indicate that China has applied direct pressure on Taiwan allies during the pandemic, encouraging them to cut ties in exchange for vaccines.
Despite these efforts, Taiwan remains a key diplomatic ally in Paraguay, with ongoing political debates about the future of bilateral relations.