If the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hadn't mentioned Paraguay today, I almost forgot that there is this wonderful flower in South America. Why is it so stubborn?
Paraguay is the only South American country that has not established relations with China, holding Taiwan as a "political code".
Paraguay’s “impatient unconsciousness” has always been that it wants the “political interests” of Taiwan.
Over the years, Taiwan's "gold and dollar diplomacy" has taken a lot of money to build hospitals, build schools, deliver agricultural machinery, and even directly give cash.
Paraguay, while receiving money from Taiwan Province, pretends to be pitiful internationally, saying that it is poor and can only rely on Taiwan Province.
But the reality is that Taiwan's "financial aid" simply cannot fill the hole in Paraguay's economy.
70% of the country’s GDP depends on agriculture, especially exports of soybeans and beef.
But the problem is that China is the world's largest soybean importer and the second largest beef importer. If Paraguay really wants to sell goods, how can it not establish diplomatic relations with China?
As a result, Paraguay's soybeans can only be transshipped through third countries, resulting in soaring costs and no price competitiveness.
In 2024, Paraguay's exports to China were almost zero, while neighbouring Brazil and Argentina earned a lot of money from trade with China alone.
At present, Paraguay and China have not established formal diplomatic relations, so they cannot directly participate in China's large-scale trade, investment and economic cooperation.
China is the world’s second-largest economy, with most South American countries doing business with China, benefiting from infrastructure, energy, minerals, and agriculture.
Paraguay has long missed these opportunities and naturally lags behind in regional competition.
Moreover, it not only has a firm attitude on the Taiwan Province issue, but even openly opposes the mainstream resolutions of the United Nations.
Geopolitically, it is almost a “solitary island” surrounded by enormous economic and political forces, but it stubbornly holds on to one-third of its own.
Although Paraguay's political arena seems stable, its foreign policy is often constrained by internal interest groups and traditional relations.
Administration officials have long regarded support for Taiwan as a symbolic diplomatic bargaining chip.
In South America, Paraguay is the only "diplomatic country" left in Taiwan Province. Without this, the "international space" would really shrink to a small Pacific island.
Therefore, Taiwan Province does not hesitate to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in "diplomatic budget" every year to give Paraguay blood transfusion.
But while giving money, everything is counting behind.
Paraguay wants to build a hydropower station, and Taiwan will give money, but the condition is that Taiwan's technology must be used. Paraguay wants to import vaccines? Send it from Taiwan, but the "Republic of China" logo must be printed on the packaging.
However, Taiwan Province's debt to GDP ratio will be as high as 40% in 2025, but it still has to support "blood transfusion" to Paraguay.
Now people in Paraguay are calling for a relationship with China, but the government is pretending to be deaf.
Paraguay is the only South American country that has not established relations with China, holding Taiwan as a "political code".
Paraguay’s “impatient unconsciousness” has always been that it wants the “political interests” of Taiwan.
Over the years, Taiwan's "gold and dollar diplomacy" has taken a lot of money to build hospitals, build schools, deliver agricultural machinery, and even directly give cash.
Paraguay, while receiving money from Taiwan Province, pretends to be pitiful internationally, saying that it is poor and can only rely on Taiwan Province.
But the reality is that Taiwan's "financial aid" simply cannot fill the hole in Paraguay's economy.
70% of the country’s GDP depends on agriculture, especially exports of soybeans and beef.
But the problem is that China is the world's largest soybean importer and the second largest beef importer. If Paraguay really wants to sell goods, how can it not establish diplomatic relations with China?
As a result, Paraguay's soybeans can only be transshipped through third countries, resulting in soaring costs and no price competitiveness.
In 2024, Paraguay's exports to China were almost zero, while neighbouring Brazil and Argentina earned a lot of money from trade with China alone.
At present, Paraguay and China have not established formal diplomatic relations, so they cannot directly participate in China's large-scale trade, investment and economic cooperation.
China is the world’s second-largest economy, with most South American countries doing business with China, benefiting from infrastructure, energy, minerals, and agriculture.
Paraguay has long missed these opportunities and naturally lags behind in regional competition.
Moreover, it not only has a firm attitude on the Taiwan Province issue, but even openly opposes the mainstream resolutions of the United Nations.
Geopolitically, it is almost a “solitary island” surrounded by enormous economic and political forces, but it stubbornly holds on to one-third of its own.
Although Paraguay's political arena seems stable, its foreign policy is often constrained by internal interest groups and traditional relations.
Administration officials have long regarded support for Taiwan as a symbolic diplomatic bargaining chip.
In South America, Paraguay is the only "diplomatic country" left in Taiwan Province. Without this, the "international space" would really shrink to a small Pacific island.
Therefore, Taiwan Province does not hesitate to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in "diplomatic budget" every year to give Paraguay blood transfusion.
But while giving money, everything is counting behind.
Paraguay wants to build a hydropower station, and Taiwan will give money, but the condition is that Taiwan's technology must be used. Paraguay wants to import vaccines? Send it from Taiwan, but the "Republic of China" logo must be printed on the packaging.
However, Taiwan Province's debt to GDP ratio will be as high as 40% in 2025, but it still has to support "blood transfusion" to Paraguay.
Now people in Paraguay are calling for a relationship with China, but the government is pretending to be deaf.