May 5. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing Wen, thanked the President-elect of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, this Friday, after he assured that he would maintain bilateral relations with the island once he was sworn in after his victory in the framework of the elections held last Sunday in the country.
Tsai has stated that “she is willing to work with Peña on issues of bilateral cooperation “for the good of the peoples”. Paraguay is one of the thirteen countries that maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan instead of with China, which considers the territory one more province under his sovereignty.
Peña, former finance minister, will begin his mandate on August 15 after defeating Efraín Alegre in the elections, who had urged a turn in Paraguayan foreign policy and recognize China instead of Taiwan.
However, the now president-elect has indicated that he will “continue to strengthen his historic ties” with Taiwan as tensions between the parties increase. Last March, Honduras became the ninth country to end its diplomatic relations with Taipei for the benefit of China since Tsai took office in 2016.
