Beijing lashed out at Paraguay on Monday after President Santiago Pena wrapped up a four-day visit to Taiwan, branding Paraguayan leaders as willing “chess pieces” for independence forces on the self-ruled island that China claims as its own territory.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China “firmly opposes and condemns” the trip and urged Asuncion to “change course at an early date” and recognise the one-China principle.
“The wheels of history wait for no one. Rejecting the one-China principle will only isolate oneself from the international community,” Guo told a regular press briefing.
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Guo cited a poll showing that nearly 90 per cent of Paraguayan respondents backed establishing diplomatic ties with Beijing, saying this proved that “colluding with the Taiwan authorities wins no support”.
He questioned whether the visit served the Paraguayan public or had “some ulterior motive”.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.