Paraguay expelled senior Chinese envoy Xu Wei on Thursday, declaring him persona non grata and accusing him of meddling in its internal affairs by urging the country to sever its longstanding ties with Taiwan. Xu was given 24 hours to leave the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
The diplomat’s expulsion followed a controversial appearance in Paraguay’s Congress, where he bypassed an ongoing UNESCO meeting to advocate for Paraguay to abandon its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China. Xu emphasized Beijing’s interest in forging ties with Paraguay, suggesting the country should “make a correct decision as soon as possible.”
Paraguay is the only South American nation and one of just 12 globally that officially recognizes Taiwan. Despite increasing pressure from Beijing, Paraguay has remained steadfast in its support for Taipei, a relationship dating back to 1957.
China’s influence in Latin America has surged in recent years, with nations like Honduras, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador switching allegiance to Beijing under its “One-China” policy. Xu’s comments, which highlighted potential trade benefits with China, added fuel to an ongoing domestic debate. Paraguayan lawmakers sympathetic to Beijing cited challenges faced by local farmers exporting soybeans and beef as reasons to consider realigning with China.
Taiwan’s embassy in Paraguay denounced Xu on social media, labeling him an “infiltrator” attempting to undermine the strong bilateral relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan. The Taiwanese government’s firm stance contrasts with China’s growing trade presence in South America, which reached nearly $500 billion in 2023, according to regional economic data.
The expulsion underscores Paraguay’s commitment to Taiwan, even as Beijing ramps up diplomatic efforts to isolate the island globally.
