On a recent Thursday, Paraguay’s Foreign Ministry expelled Xu Wei, a Chinese diplomat accused of meddling in the nation’s political affairs by urging local lawmakers to sever ties with Taiwan in favor of China. The authoritative action, which included the revocation of Xu’s visa, followed reports of his attempts to influence the Paraguayan congress during his visit for the UNESCO 19th session on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción. Instead of participating in the scheduled UNESCO activities, Xu prioritized discussions with pro-China legislators about the implications of switching diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan, which has been recognized by Paraguay since 1957, to the People’s Republic of China.
Xu Wei’s push for Paraguay to adopt the Chinese Communist Party’s stringent “One-China Principle” that denies Taiwan’s sovereignty was met with resistance in Paraguay, which stands as South America’s only nation that currently maintains formal relations with Taipei. This principle demands that countries recognize only one China—implying Taiwan is merely a province of China. In the context of international relations, several Latin American countries, such as Honduras and El Salvador, have already shifted their diplomatic stance in favor of China, reflecting a concerning trend for Taiwan’s international presence. Xu’s remarks during his visit hinted at the economic benefits of aligning with China, yet they raised alarms about sovereignty and political imperialism.
Deputy Foreign Minister Juan Baiardi condemned Xu’s actions, emphasizing that his role was to participate in UNESCO meetings rather than interfere in Paraguay’s domestic politics. This clear violation of diplomatic conduct provoked a substantial response from Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña, who outlined the government’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with Taiwan, reflecting a broader concern for national sovereignty and diplomatic integrity. Despite pressure to engage China, Peña’s administration clarified that any possible ties with Beijing would not come at the expense of its longstanding friendship with Taiwan.
The Taiwanese embassy in Asunción strongly rejected Xu’s interference, reiterating Taiwan’s status as an independent sovereign entity. The embassy’s official statement underscored a continued commitment to the political relationship with Paraguay, portraying China’s growing influence in the region as a substantial threat to Taiwan’s standing. The Taiwanese government asserted that China’s diplomatic strategies, including those employed by Xu, are ineffective at altering the reality of Taiwan’s governance and its international relations. Taiwan’s consistent diplomatic strategy appears to be solidifying support in Paraguay amid Chinese attempts at coercion.
The expulsion of Xu has prompted responses from China’s Foreign Ministry, dismissing the allegations against him as unwarranted and reiterating the country’s hardline stance on Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory. Highlighting the United Nations’ Resolution 2758, Chinese officials framed their diplomatic approach as legitimate under international law. They considered Paraguay’s actions as interference in their internal affairs, thus igniting further tensions in the geopolitical landscape of Latin America, where issues of sovereignty and allegiance are heatedly disputed.
Amidst this backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, the Paraguayan government also investigated cybersecurity threats reportedly linked to Chinese espionage activities. With external influences increasingly encroaching on national sovereignty, Paraguay is navigating its foreign relations with a keen eye on maintaining its alliance with Taiwan while scrutinizing Chinese diplomatic and technical engagements. The situation exemplifies the ongoing struggle between established diplomatic ties and the aggressive foreign policy approaches exercised by China in Latin America, raising awareness regarding how nations negotiate their positions amidst global rivalry.
