Paraguay has expelled a Chinese envoy who urged lawmakers to reject Taiwan’s diplomatic ties with the South American nation. The move comes as China seeks to strengthen its influence in Latin America through trade agreements.
Chinese diplomat Xu Wei was given 24 hours to leave Paraguay after the country cancelled his visa, declaring him persona non grata. Xu had attended an annual conference for UNESCO before making a surprise appearance at Paraguay’s Congress, where he allegedly urged lawmakers to choose between relations with Taiwan and China.
Paraguay is one of only 12 countries that recognize Taiwan, but its decision can have consequences due to China’s claim over the territory. The move has sparked a reaction from Taiwan, which described Xu’s actions as an attempt to undermine Paraguay’s friendship with it.
Xu claimed that recognizing Taiwan would hinder trade opportunities and that forming ties with China would bring economic benefits. However, he warned lawmakers that choosing between the two is not an option, stating “it’s ‘or’.” The expulsion marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations between Paraguay and China, highlighting the country’s desire to strengthen its ties with Beijing.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/5/paraguay-expels-visiting-chinese-envoy-who-urged-lawmakers-to-reject-taiwan