TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) welcomed Paraguayan President Santiago Pena on Thursday morning.
The trip marks Pena’s fourth visit to Taiwan and his first official state visit since becoming president. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) will welcome Pena with full military honors and confer the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon on him to recognize his contributions to Taiwan-Paraguay relations.
The medal is Taiwan’s highest civilian order.
Pena’s delegation includes Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez, Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme, Presidential Secretary-General Francisco Javier Gimenez, Guaira Governor Cesar Sosa Farina, and Chief of Protocol Lucas Strubing, according to the foreign ministry.
Their presence underscores the importance Pena places on the visit and diplomatic ties between the two nations, the foreign ministry said.
During his stay, Pena will witness the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements, visit the Southern Taiwan Science Park, and receive an honorary doctorate from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.
More than 40 representatives from leading Paraguayan businesses have arrived as part of a business delegation to expand industrial and economic exchanges. The foreign ministry said it will facilitate meetings between the delegation and Taiwanese trade associations and corporations to leverage private sector economic power and elevate the mutually beneficial bilateral partnership.
Pena’s visit comes as China seeks to persuade Paraguay to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. China has invited Paraguayan parliamentarians on all-expenses-paid trips to entice the South American country with promises of economic gains and development aid.
At least 19 Paraguayan lawmakers and five journalists have visited China since late 2023, according to Reuters. Many of the trips were at the invitation of the Chinese consulate in Sao Paulo and included extravagant banquets and stays at high-end hotels.
Pena has repeatedly reaffirmed support for Taipei. In December, he said, “All the Latin American countries that switched from Taiwan to China and fell into the arms of the promise of the Chinese dream — every single one of them is worse off than Paraguay.”
