Santiago Peña and William Lai signed investment and artificial intelligence agreements amid growing diplomatic pressure from China.
During the visit, Peña stressed that the relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan is based on “shared values” such as democracy, freedom and economic cooperation. The president said that the alliance “goes far beyond diplomatic formality” and translates into concrete development and innovation projects
Taiwanese President William Lai publicly thanked Paraguayan support in international organizations and described the bilateral relationship as “solid and lasting”. Paraguay is currently the only country in South America that maintains official diplomatic relations with Taiwan and one of the few formal allies that the island retains
worldwide.The visit also generated an immediate reaction from Beijing. The Xi Jinping regime once again demanded that Paraguay break relations with Taiwan and adopt the principle of “one China”. However, the Paraguayan government once again reaffirmed its alliance
with Taipei.In this context, the new agreements signed in Taipei represent a political and economic strengthening of the relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan, in the midst of China's diplomatic dispute over international recognition of the island.
The presidents of Paraguay and Taiwan, Santiago Peña and William Lai, formalized this Thursday in Taipei a series of technological cooperation, investment and trade agreements that deepen the strategic alliance between the two countries. The visit of the Paraguayan president came in a context of increasing diplomatic pressure from China on Asunción to
break relations with Taiwan.During the meeting, both governments signed seven bilateral agreements related to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financing, technological innovation and foreign trade. One of the most important projects involves the development of a national artificial intelligence computing center in Paraguay, promoted with Taiwanese support
.
In addition, Taiwan announced the opening of its market for Paraguayan poultry meat, in a new commercial breakthrough between the two countries. The agreement seeks to expand Paraguayan exports to Asia and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation
.Santiago Peña traveled accompanied by a delegation of nearly 50 Paraguayan businessmen and different officials of his government, including representatives from the economic and commercial areas. The agenda included meetings with Taiwanese authorities and visits to technology centers and science parks linked to the semiconductor industry
