Paraguay expels Chinese diplomat over alleged interference in Taiwan ties

The South American nation of Paraguay has expelled a Chinese diplomat, Xu Wei, citing alleged “interference in domestic affairs.”

The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that Xu’s visa had been revoked, and he was given 24 hours to leave the country after being declared persona non grata.

Xu, in Paraguay to attend a UNESCO conference, reportedly urged lawmakers during an unsanctioned visit to Congress to sever ties with Taiwan and establish relations with China.

Paraguay is among the few nations globally — and the only one in South America — that recognises Taiwan diplomatically, a stance increasingly challenged by China’s growing influence in Latin America.

“This gentleman had a parallel agenda. He came to do internal politics that were not appropriate,” said Juan Baiardi, deputy minister of administration and technical affairs in Paraguay’s Foreign Ministry.

El Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores canceló la visa al diplomático Xu Wei de la República Popular China y le dio un plazo de 24 horas para que abandone el país a raíz de la intromisión en asuntos internos.

— Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (@mreparaguay) December 5, 2024

Xu Skips UNESCO Meeting to Lobby Paraguayan Lawmakers on Beijing-Taipei Relations

On Wednesday, Xu skipped the UNESCO meeting to meet officials in Asuncion, Paraguay’s capital.

He reportedly called on lawmakers to reconsider their diplomatic allegiance, emphasising economic benefits of closer ties with Beijing.

“It is either China or Taiwan,” Xu reportedly told lawmakers.

“I recommend that the government of Paraguay make a correct decision as soon as possible.” He added that forging ties with China would unlock trade opportunities and bring “thousands of other advantages.”

Speaking to the press later, Xu argued that Paraguay’s lack of direct trade with China was a missed opportunity.

“Currently, there is almost no direct trade or exports from Paraguay to China. It’s a great shame. Paraguayans are giving away their profits to intermediaries. But with diplomatic relations with China, you can earn more.”

Paraguay’s stance contrasts with regional neighbours like Brazil and Argentina, which enjoy significant exports to China, including beef and soybeans.

Some Paraguayan lawmakers have suggested that switching allegiance could be economically advantageous.

In recent years, several Latin American countries — including Honduras, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador — have severed ties with Taiwan in favour of China.

Xu’s remarks echoed Beijing’s insistence that countries must choose either Taiwan or China, stating, “It is not an option to choose both. No, it’s ‘or’. Either China or Taiwan.”

Dec 5: Paraguay kicks out Xu Wei (徐伟), minister counselor of the Department of Latin American & Caribbean Affairs of 🇨🇳 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for interfering in Paraguay’s domestic affairs and urging the South American nation to break off ties and long friendship with… pic.twitter.com/t4qEl0Jm8W

— Byron Wan (@Byron_Wan) December 6, 2024

Taiwan Accuses Chinese Diplomat of Undermining Bilateral Ties with Paraguay

Taiwan, meanwhile, responded sharply to the developments in Paraguay.

In a statement, its embassy accused Xu of attempting to undermine relations between Paraguay and Taiwan.

“He infiltrated Paraguay with an unknown purpose, to undermine the firm friendship between Paraguay and Taiwan,” the embassy posted on social media.

La Embajada rechaza enérgicamente a lo intentado públicamente por Xu Wei del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de China Popular infiltrado en Paraguay con propósito desconocido, en socavar la firme amistad entre Paraguay y Taiwán, con la falacia de “una sola China”.

La… pic.twitter.com/e0Su7uHZnU

— 中華民國駐巴拉圭大使館-Embajada de Taiwán en el Paraguay (@TW_Paraguay) December 4, 2024