Taiwanese Legislators Visit Paraguay As Pro-China Sentiment Appears To Grow

TaiwanPlus News

A group of Taiwanese legislators is visiting Paraguay, a diplomatic ally where pro-China voices are growing.

Transcript

00:00A group of cross-party Taiwanese lawmakers has landed in Paraguay,

00:04hoping to deepen ties between the country's legislatures.

00:08While meeting with their counterparts, the group called Paraguay a steadfast friend to Taiwan.

00:13It's one of just 12 countries that still maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of China,

00:19and the only in South America, as Beijing increasingly tries to poach Taiwan's allies in the hopes of isolating it.

00:26But experts say pro-China voices have been growing in Paraguay.

00:31One group of Paraguayan lawmakers recently visited China,

00:35and another lawmaker said this in a recent interview with Chinese state media.

00:41It's only a matter of time for Paraguay to finally become part of the 183 countries that recognize China

00:48and leave the mere 12 countries that recognize Taiwan.

00:51The parliament is advising the president of Paraguay that we should evaluate the possibility

00:56of establishing diplomatic and commercial relations with China,

01:01reaching a consensus that aligns with the interests of all the Paraguayan people.

01:06One expert says all of this indicates slow but widening support for a diplomatic switch,

01:12driven by pressure from agriculture and business communities in Paraguay who want access to Chinese markets,

01:17and by China-friendly opposition parties, as well as a faction within the ruling party.

01:24While still a minority opposition, who has a pro-China sentiment is becoming more vocal and more organized

01:33and more politically acceptable than in previous years.

01:39This doesn't mean a switch will happen anytime soon.

01:42Experts say ties are still relatively stable now.

01:45Paraguay's president has repeatedly said he remains committed to Taiwan,

01:50and indicated cutting ties is not a possibility.

01:53Last year, the country kicked out a Chinese envoy for allegedly urging the country to switch relations.

01:59There's also a lot of cooperation and exchanges.

02:02Taiwan's foreign minister was just in Paraguay in July.

02:06A Paraguayan governor is on a visit to Taiwan right now,

02:09and a delegation of Paraguayan officials recently met with Taiwan's representative to the U.S.,

02:15emphasizing that bilateral relations are strong.

02:18The risk of a switch could come in the future,

02:21particularly if a China-friendly opposition party wins the presidency.

02:25This would be a huge loss for Taiwan.

02:28It has only 12 diplomatic allies left and is working hard to hang on to them.

02:33Ke says the flurry of recent visits between the two sides could be a response to this risk.

02:38So, Taiwan is reinforcing ties amid a growing China-friendly rhetoric in Paraguay's Congress,

02:43especially given that a Paraguayan opposition party delegation has recently visited China

02:48for economic and cooperation opportunities.

02:52While Taiwan's delegation, which is composed of all three parties in the Legislative Yuan,

02:57could announce new cooperation projects and offer tangible benefits

03:00to counter-approach China's economic argument within Paraguay's Congress.

03:06So, while ties may be stable now, there are warning signs for the future,

03:11meaning Taiwan may need to work even harder to shore up ties with its only ally in South America,

03:17Justin Wu and Caden's Quaranta for Taiwan Plus.

03:20So, if you have a question, please, if you will, please, if you will, please,

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