Paraguay has expelled Chinese envoy Xu Wei for allegedly meddling in the nation’s domestic affairs and pressuring the government to sever ties with Taiwan.
In a strong statement issued on Thursday, Paraguay’s foreign ministry announced it had revoked Xu’s visa and declared him persona non grata, citing "interference in internal affairs." Xu, a senior Chinese diplomat in Latin America, was attending an annual UNESCO meeting in Paraguay but was given 24 hours to leave the country.
The controversy erupted when Xu skipped the UNESCO session and appeared at Paraguay’s Congress in Asunción. During his visit, he urged lawmakers to break diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as its territory.
Paraguay is the only South American nation, and one of just 12 countries worldwide, that formally recognizes Taiwan. Despite mounting pressure, Paraguay has maintained its decades-long relationship with Taipei, resisting Beijing's push for allegiance under its "one-China" policy, which requires nations to choose between recognizing China or Taiwan.
From the Congress building, funded in part by Taiwan, Xu highlighted Beijing’s interest in establishing diplomatic ties with Paraguay. He suggested that the Paraguayan government "make a correct decision as soon as possible," emphasizing the potential benefits of expanded trade with China.
Xu’s comments sparked debate among Paraguayan lawmakers, with some pointing to the economic struggles of local farmers to access Chinese markets for soybeans and beef. Supporters of a potential diplomatic shift argue that aligning with Beijing could unlock significant trade opportunities.
China’s trade with South America has grown substantially, reaching nearly $500 billion in 2023, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. Beijing has successfully lobbied several Latin American nations, including Honduras, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador, to switch allegiance from Taiwan in recent years.
Taiwan’s embassy in Paraguay strongly condemned Xu’s actions, labeling him an "infiltrator" on the social media platform X. The embassy accused him of attempting to "undermine the firm friendship" between Paraguay and Taiwan, which dates back to 1957.
The incident comes amid broader political challenges in Paraguay, with protests in Asunción calling for the resignation of President Mario Abdo Benítez over issues including his handling of the pandemic.
This latest diplomatic standoff highlights the growing tensions in Latin America as Beijing intensifies its efforts to isolate Taiwan on the global stage.
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