Introduction
Taiwan has expressed its gratitude towards Paraguay after the South American nation took a bold stance by expelling a senior Chinese envoy, Xu Wei, who had been pressuring the country to break diplomatic ties with Taipei. This diplomatic incident highlights the growing tensions between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), especially as China continues its global campaign to isolate Taiwan on the international stage.
Details of the Incident
On Thursday, Paraguay’s government expelled Xu Wei, a senior Chinese official who had been visiting the country for a UNESCO meeting. The expulsion came after Xu openly urged Paraguay to sever its longstanding diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China. In response to his actions, the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry revoked Xu’s visa and declared him persona non grata, giving him 24 hours to leave the country.
Xu’s visit to the Paraguayan Congress in Asunción, where he was accompanied by pro-China Paraguayan lawmakers, was an attempt to sway the South American nation into recognizing Beijing instead of Taipei. This move was seen as a direct interference in Paraguay’s internal affairs and a violation of its sovereignty.
Taiwan’s Reaction and Statement
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) swiftly praised Paraguay’s decision, calling it a courageous act to uphold national sovereignty and safeguard the 67-year-long diplomatic friendship between the two countries. MOFA also condemned China’s growing influence in international organizations, accusing Beijing of using its participation in bodies like UNESCO to push its political agenda.
In a statement, Taiwan emphasized the importance of maintaining Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies, particularly in Latin America, where Taiwan has already seen a decline in support due to Beijing’s aggressive foreign policy.
China’s Response
In response to Paraguay’s actions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian strongly condemned the expulsion of Xu. Lin described the accusations against Xu as “unfounded and unjustified,” reiterating China’s stance that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. He stated that China would continue to defend the “one-China principle” regardless of international objections, and argued that there was no interference in Paraguay’s internal affairs.
Diplomatic Implications for Taiwan
The expulsion of the Chinese envoy comes at a time when Taiwan is facing increasing diplomatic pressure from Beijing, which has sought to isolate Taiwan by convincing its allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing. Despite this pressure, Paraguay remains one of the few countries in South America that formally recognizes Taiwan. It is also one of only 12 nations globally that continues to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Key Facts: Taiwan’s Diplomatic Situation
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Paraguay’s Diplomatic Stance | The only South American country to recognize Taiwan |
| Number of Diplomatic Allies | Taiwan has 12 remaining formal allies globally |
| Loss of Allies | Taiwan has lost 10 allies since 2016, including 4 in Latin America |
| China’s Influence | Beijing continues its efforts to isolate Taiwan globally |
FAQs
1. Why did Paraguay expel the Chinese envoy?
Paraguay expelled Chinese envoy Xu Wei for attempting to pressure the country into severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. His actions were seen as interference in Paraguay’s sovereignty.
2. What is Taiwan’s response to the expulsion?
Taiwan has expressed its gratitude to Paraguay for upholding national sovereignty and maintaining diplomatic ties with Taipei. The government also criticized China for using international organizations like UNESCO to push its political agenda.
3. How has China reacted to the expulsion?
China has condemned the expulsion of Xu Wei, accusing Paraguay of making “unfounded and unjustified accusations” against him. Beijing reiterated its stance on Taiwan being part of China.
4. How many countries still recognize Taiwan?
Paraguay is one of only 12 countries worldwide, and the only one in South America, that officially recognizes Taiwan.
5. What are the broader implications of this diplomatic move?
The expulsion highlights Taiwan’s ongoing struggle to maintain diplomatic relations in the face of increasing pressure from Beijing, which continues to try to isolate Taiwan on the world stage.
Conclusion
The expulsion of Xu Wei by Paraguay marks a significant moment in the diplomatic relations between Taiwan and South American nations. As Beijing continues its efforts to isolate Taiwan, Paraguay’s commitment to maintaining formal ties with Taipei is a notable stance in defense of Taiwan’s sovereignty and global recognition.
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