Paraguay Open to China Trade, But Only If It Can Maintain Taiwan Ties
Paraguay's foreign minister says his country is open to trade with China, but on the condition Paraguay can continue diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China claims Taiwan, but Paraguay is one of twelve countries that maintain relations with Taiwan despite that claim.
Paraguay Open to Trade with China While Keeping Ties with Taiwan
REPORTER:
Paraguay’s foreign minister says his country is open to trade with China if Paraguay can keep diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
That came Tuesday during a meeting of the leaders of South American MERCOSUR bloc—which may hold talks with China in the future. Paraguay is the only member of the group that formally recognizes Taiwan and not China.
It is one of 12 countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, despite pressure from Beijing to recognize China instead. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says he’s confident Taiwan’s relationship with Paraguay will last.
Lin Chia-lung (TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTER):
Our diplomatic alliances are all very stable.
Our relations with Paraguay are particularly firm.
As long as we can ensure diplomatic ties with our allies
we've always had an open attitude
towards the development of world trade
including with Taiwan and China.
REPORTER:
Lin pointed to a recent visit by Paraguay’s President Peña to Taiwan as evidence of the continued strength of diplomatic ties.
Paraguay is open to trade with China as long as it does not have to sever ties with Taiwan, its foreign minister said on June 30.
Leaders of the South American Mercosur bloc are meeting in Paraguay to launch trade negotiations with Japan following the sealing of a deal with the European Union in January.
During the summit, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva suggested that talks with China were also in the pipeline.
Paraguay, Taiwan’s lone South American ally, is the only Mercosur member that does not maintain diplomatic relations with the Asian giant.
“Paraguay does not refuse to establish trade relations with China, as long as there are no conditions regarding the diplomatic relationship that Paraguay has and maintains with Taiwan,” Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez said at the meeting on the outskirts of Asuncion.
“If those are the conditions, we have no restrictions,” Ramirez said.
Taipei has only 12 diplomatic allies after Beijing—which claims Taiwan is part of its territory—systematically poached the others in a bid to isolate the self-governed island.
China has urged Paraguay “make the right choice” and cut ties with Taiwan.
