Paraguay Expels Chinese Diplomat Over Taiwan Remarks
Paraguay Revokes Visa of Chinese Diplomat Over Taiwan Remarks
Asunción, Paraguay – Paraguay has revoked the visa of a Chinese diplomat after he allegedly urged Paraguayan lawmakers to sever ties with Taiwan and recognize China instead.
The Paraguayan Ministry of foreign Affairs accused Counselor Xu Wei, Minister of the Latin America Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of ”interfering in internal affairs” and violating visa regulations.Xu Wei was given 24 hours to leave the country after accompanying a Chinese delegation to Paraguay for a United Nations educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meeting.According to Paraguayan congressional records obtained by Reuters, Xu wei made the controversial remarks during a meeting with two pro-China opposition members of Congress. He reportedly argued that recognizing China would be economically beneficial for Paraguay, a major soybean exporter.
“If we establish diplomatic relations with China, we can earn more, save more and reduce costs… The purpose of my trip is to promote and accelerate the filling of the blanks on the map. This empty space in Paraguay is called the Peopel’s republic of China,” Xu Wei allegedly stated.
He further emphasized that Paraguay must choose between China and Taiwan, stating, “There is no ‘and’ option. For China and Taiwan there is only ‘or’: China or Taiwan.”
Paraguay is one of only a handful of countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This stance has been a point of contention with China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province.
Juan Beardi,an official at Paraguay’s foreign ministry,criticized Xu Wei’s actions,saying,”This gentleman (Xu Wei) has a parallel agenda and is here to engage in inappropriate domestic political activities.”
china’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment.This incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan and the pressure China exerts on countries to sever ties with the island nation.
Paraguay Expels Chinese Diplomat Over Pro-China, Anti-Taiwan Remarks
Asunción, Paraguay - Diplomatic tensions are flaring between Paraguay and China after Asunción revoked the visa of a Chinese diplomat for allegedly interfering in Paraguay’s internal affairs and urging the nation to sever ties with Taiwan.
Counselor Xu Wei, Minister of the Latin America Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was given 24 hours to leave Paraguay after allegedly making pro-China, anti-taiwan remarks during a meeting with two pro-China opposition members of Congress.
according to Paraguayan congressional records obtained by Reuters, Xu Wei argued that recognizing China would be economically beneficial for Paraguay, a major soybean exporter. He reportedly stated,”If we establish diplomatic relations with china,we can earn more,save more and reduce costs…The purpose of my trip is to promote and accelerate the filling of the blanks on the map. This empty space in Paraguay is called the People’s republic of China.”
Xu Wei further emphasized that Paraguay must choose between China and Taiwan, stating, “There is no ‘and’ option. For China and Taiwan there is only ‘or’: China or Taiwan.”
Paraguay is one of only a handful of countries maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a stance that has been a point of contention with China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province.
Juan Beardi, an official at Paraguay’s foreign ministry, criticized Xu Wei’s actions, saying, “This gentleman (Xu Wei) has a parallel agenda and is here to engage in inappropriate domestic political activities.”
China’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment. This incident underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan and China’s pressure on countries to sever ties with the island nation.