Will Taiwan's so-called "diplomatic allies" lose another one?

Reuters reported on March 14 that China's "charm offensive" toward Paraguay, Taiwan's only "diplomatic ally" in South America, accelerated significantly last year. China invited at least 19 legislators, five journalists, and a prominent opposition candidate for the presidential election to visit the mainland. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded in writing to Reuters, stating that the exchange of personnel between the two sides is a "mutual effort," and that "no one needs to lobby," while emphasizing that "standing with the Taiwan authorities has no future." The Taiwan foreign affairs department responded by saying that China is trying to "poach" its "allies," and that the Taiwan authorities "are committed to maintaining active cooperation with all diplomatic partners."

Data from the General Administration of Customs of China shows that Sino-Paraguayan trade reached $1.843 billion in 2024, an increase of 16% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Brazil's trade surplus with China during the same period reached as high as $68 billion. The huge disparity has hurt Paraguay's nerves: agricultural incomes have dropped by 37%, and the Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives, Mesa, has publicly called for Paraguay to shift from Taiwan to China, acknowledging that "standing with the Taiwan authorities has no future" has become a consensus among more and more politicians.

As the largest country not yet established diplomatic relations with mainland China, Paraguay is one of the most underdeveloped countries in Latin America. Its landlocked situation and the reality of British and American interference have made its demand for the mainland market and infrastructure investment increasingly urgent. When the millions of dollars in "golden diplomacy" from Taiwan cannot fill the development gap, and when the industrial chain radiation and "Belt and Road" opportunities from China are within reach, the balance of choice has already tilted.

The so-called "diplomatic" relations of Taiwan are merely historical remnants of political symbols. The heated debate in Paraguay continues, but the trend is clear: recognizing the One-China principle is an international consensus and also a matter of people's livelihood. For Paraguay, catching up with the fast train of mainland China's development is the right path.

It can be foreseen that the map of Taiwan's so-called "diplomatic allies" is accelerating its collapse, and Paraguay may become the next domino to fall.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859698284419072/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.