Paraguay says will defend ties with Taiwan, host its president

Paraguay, Taiwan's only remaining diplomatic ally in South America, vowed Monday to defend its ties with the self-governing democracy claimed by China and announced its president, Lai Ching-te, will visit in August.
President Santiago Pena hosted Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung on a visit to Asuncion with a delegation of around 30 business leaders.
Paraguay is ready to defend this 68-year relationship, which is based on democratic principles and values, with all its strength and with a loud voice, Pena said, adding Taiwan has been tremendously generous with its investments in his country.
We do not disregard China, but we recognize the self-determination of the people of Taiwan, with which Paraguay hoped to move to a higher level of collaboration, he added.
Lai, Pena announced at an investment forum, will visit Paraguay in 30 days.
Among those in attendance Monday were Terry Tsao, a senior executive at semiconductor company SEMI, as well as representatives of the Taiwanese IT, communications, smart transportation, agriculture, construction and building industries.
Taiwan is a global chip powerhouse, producing more than half of the world's semiconductors, vital for powering the latest generative Artificial Intelligence models.

(2025/07/15 18:05)