TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Paraguay Chamber of Deputies Speaker Raul Luis Latorre Martinez landed in Taiwan on Tuesday for a five-day visit to bolster bilateral relations.

Latorre said the purpose of the visit was to honor the friendship between the two nations and to attend Taiwan’s National Day celebrations, CNA reported. “Paraguay firmly stands with Taiwan, and no one can break this bond of friendship,” he said.

Latorre said the two countries face intense pressure from China, including large-scale cyberattacks to undermine diplomatic ties, “but this will never happen.”

Latorre added that Paraguay President Santiago Pena Palacios recently called on the UN General Assembly to allow Taiwan to have a voice and participate as a free and sovereign nation. Paraguay will use every opportunity to defend Taiwan’s inclusion, he said.

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) visited Paraguay in July to meet with his counterpart, Ruben Ramirez. They discussed progress on infrastructure, smart medicine, and smart transportation projects, as well as technical education, trade, and investment. 

Lin led a group of Taiwan entrepreneurs to the Taiwan-Paraguay Smart Technology Park. He also attended a celebration marking the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Paraguay.