TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan thanked diplomatic ally Paraguay on Friday for expelling a Chinese envoy after he pushed for cutting ties with Taiwan.

The foreign ministry told CNA Friday that it had thanked Paraguay for the expulsion. It called on the international community to recognize and condemn “China's abuse of international organizations to pursue its improper intentions, violate international rules, and commit other malicious actions.”

On Thursday Paraguay kicked out Chinese diplomat Xu Wei (徐偉) who was in the country to attend an annual UNESCO meeting. Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying it had revoked Xu's visa and declared him persona non grata “over interference in internal affairs."

Xu was absent from the meeting Wednesday and instead appeared at Paraguay's Congress in Asuncion, where he called on the country to abandon Taiwan. In a recording after meeting with two opposition lawmakers in Paraguay's Congress, Xu said, "Having diplomatic relations with China you can earn more, save more, lower your costs," per Reuters. 

Xu said that the purpose of his visit was to “promote, accelerate the process of filling the gap in the map of Paraguay, that gap is gigantic, which is called the People's Republic of China.” The envoy said that Asuncion would have to choose Beijing or Taipei: "There is no 'and' option. With China and Taiwan it's just 'or': China or Taiwan."

Taiwan's foreign ministry said that based on the 67 years of friendly relations, the two nations will continue working together to enhance the welfare of their people. It added the two countries will work with other democratic nations to safeguard democracy, freedom, human rights, and other universal principles.