Paraguay's president speaks out on the Taiwan Strait, positioning himself as a front-row observer—yet seemingly unaware of his misplaced seat.

According to a report by Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña declared during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 23: “Paraguay stands with Taiwan. I want to make this clear and loud.” He further claimed that if peaceful negotiations were held in the future regarding the Taiwan Strait issue, Paraguay would be willing to sit “in the front row” to participate. He also called for Taiwan’s “comprehensive and meaningful participation” in the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

Paraguay remains one of Taiwan’s last remaining so-called “diplomatic allies” in South America and is among Taiwan’s current 12 such “allies.” President Peña visited Taiwan in May this year to meet with Tsai Ing-wen. His recent remarks at the UN represent another attempt to leverage the Taiwan issue for political gain. However, as a landlocked country in South America, Paraguay’s confrontation with China—a global economic powerhouse and permanent member of the UN Security Council—represents a profound miscalculation.

Peña’s statements constitute an open challenge to the one-China principle and a serious violation of fundamental norms governing international relations. There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory. The idea of Taiwan joining the United Nations is unrealistic. Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly has unambiguously affirmed that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. As a part of China, Taiwan holds no standing under any name to participate in the United Nations. Peña’s call runs counter to historical trends and the prevailing international consensus—and will inevitably prove futile.

Paraguay’s short-sightedness will only harm its own interests. China is a major global importer of agricultural products. Should Paraguayan soybeans and beef lose access to the Chinese market due to political maneuvering, it will be Paraguayan farmers who bear the cost. By attempting to profit from the Taiwan issue, Peña risks drawing fire upon himself.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877179649184905/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.