A Paraguayan legislator has called for a national debate on recognizing Beijing rather than Taipei. Following a visit to the People’s Republic of China, Congressman Hugo Meza, who belongs to the ruling Colorado Party, highlighted the enormous economic potential that could come with greater cooperation with Beijing. Paraguay is one of only 12 countries that still maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, while 183 have diplomatic ties with China. The numbers, says Meza, “are eloquent.”
“We went with 33 parliamentarians from all over Latin America, and seeing the level of development, investment, and reforms in China makes us reflect. Mainland China has invested more than $600 billion in the region. If Paraguay were to capture even 1% of that, we would change our production model,” Meza said, reports Merco Press.
The issue of shifting diplomatic ties to mainland China is not a new one in Paraguay. Some of the country’s most important economic sectors—beef producers and soy and other grain producers—have been pressuring on this issue for years, seeking to gain access to the Chinese market directly rather than triangulating through third countries. Paraguay loses an estimated $1 billion annually by having to trade with China through third countries.
