Paraguay made headlines on Thursday as it took the bold step of expelling a Chinese diplomat for allegedly meddling in its internal affairs. The Chinese envoy, Xu Wei, was given 24 hours to leave the country after urging Paraguay to sever its ties with Taiwan, a move that sparked diplomatic tensions.
The incident unfolded during an annual UNESCO meeting in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, where Xu Wei skipped the session and instead visited the Congress. There, he called on Paraguay to abandon its longstanding relationship with Taiwan, the only South American nation and one of just 12 globally that recognizes the island as a separate country.
Despite pressure from Beijing to switch allegiance, Paraguay has remained steadfast in its support for Taiwan. The Chinese government's one-China principle has led several Latin American countries to cut ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing, citing economic incentives and trade opportunities.
Xu Wei emphasized China's interest in establishing relations with Paraguay, highlighting potential benefits such as expanded trade and economic cooperation. However, the Paraguayan government has resisted calls to make a hasty decision, weighing the implications of aligning with either China or Taiwan.
China's growing trade presence in South America, which has reached nearly $500 billion, underscores the economic stakes involved in diplomatic relations. The Taiwanese Embassy in Paraguay condemned Xu Wei's actions, accusing him of attempting to undermine the longstanding friendship between Paraguay and Taiwan that dates back to 1957.
The expulsion of the Chinese diplomat reflects Paraguay's commitment to its diplomatic principles and underscores the complexities of navigating international relations in the face of competing interests.
