China Ramps Up Criticism of Paraguay President After Taiwan Visit

Paraguay is one of only twelve countries that maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China regards those ties as a challenge to its position that Taiwan is part of its territory. In recent months Beijing has intensified diplomatic pressure on Paraguay to switch recognition to China, arguing that closer relations would bring economic benefits. Paraguay's exports to Taiwan remain modest, while trade with China has grown steadily over the past decade.

China's foreign ministry said its criticism of President Pena has risen sharply following his Taiwan trip. It accused Paraguayan officials of acting as pawns to separatist forces with ulterior motives. The ministry also stated that Paraguay's diplomatic relationship with Taiwan, held by just twelve states, rests on contentious grounds. Separately, Beijing asserted that a large majority of Paraguayans support establishing formal ties with China, without providing the source or methodology for that claim. A spokesperson for the ministry, Guo Jiakun, reiterated that Paraguay's leaders ignore widespread public opinion and risk global condemnation by backing Taiwan's president.

The heightened rhetoric underscores China's strategy to isolate Taiwan internationally by encouraging its few remaining allies to reconsider. Paraguay's government has not yet responded publicly, and domestic debate continues over whether the limited economic gains from Taiwan outweigh potential advantages from deeper engagement with Beijing. Analysts note that any shift in Paraguay's stance could influence other nations weighing similar decisions, potentially altering the diplomatic balance in Latin America. Observers suggest that Beijing may offer incentives such as infrastructure investment or trade agreements to sway Paraguay's choice.