Paraguay 'committed' to keeping Taiwan ties, foreign minister says

Taiwan's last ally in South America emphasizes shared principles, economic benefits

20240311 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Paraguay Rubén Darío Ramírez Lezcano inside

Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano says that Paraguay's ties with Taiwan have not stopped Chinese companies from doing business in the South American country. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) 

AKIRA KITADO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Paraguay has no intention of following countries in Latin America and elsewhere that have cut ties with Taiwan in favor of China, Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano told Nikkei Asia on Monday.

"We engage with Taiwan because [of] our peace, democracy, freedom, human rights conditions, the rule of law ... principles [which] are very important," Ramirez said in an exclusive interview during a visit to Japan. He said Paraguay is "very committed" to its current policy of recognizing Taiwan as long as President Santiago Pena's government runs the country.

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