Paraguay Vows to Uphold Taiwan Ties, Announces Presidential Visit

Paraguay, Taiwan's sole South American diplomatic ally, reaffirmed its commitment to ties with the self-governing democracy claimed by China. During a visit by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung and a business delegation, Paraguayan President Santiago Pena vowed to "defend this 68-year relationship, which is based on democratic principles and values, with all its strength." Pena highlighted Taiwan's "tremendous generosity" in investments and expressed a desire for "a higher level of collaboration."

Pena also announced that Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, will visit Paraguay in August. While acknowledging China, Pena stressed Paraguay's recognition of the "self-determination of the people of Taiwan."

The Taiwanese delegation included executives from the semiconductor industry, specifically Terry Tsao of SEMI, alongside representatives from IT, communications, smart transportation, agriculture, construction, and building sectors. Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor production, vital for AI technology.