Paraguay President Visits Taiwan Amid Growing Pressure From Beijing

Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña arrived in Taiwan on Thursday on his first visit to the self-ruled island. Paraguay is the last country in South America and one of 12 worldwide to recognize Taiwan as a diplomatic partner. Peña is leading a business delegation focused on agriculture and finance.

The visit runs from Thursday until Sunday, according to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is set to welcome Peña with military honors on Friday.

Paraguay maintains a solid trade relationship with China but has reaffirmed its commitment to Taipei. Officials have been ramping up a campaign over the past few years to lure Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. The visit occurs as officials have increased pressure on the island democracy, including sending warplanes and navy vessels toward the island on a near-daily basis.

Taiwan has sought to assert its presence internationally in response. Last week, Lai visited the southern African nation of Eswatini, Taipei’s last remaining diplomatic partner in Africa. The trip had been postponed after several countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories.

Officials expressed “high appreciation” for the countries’ adherence to the one China principle. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, when the Communist Party rose to power in Beijing following a civil war. Defeated Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan, which later transitioned from martial law to multiparty democracy.