Neighbors shun Paraguay event over Taiwan: report

The heads of Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Surinam and Venezuela have canceled their attendances, citing “various reasons,” because Taiwan's Vice President Vincent Siew will be present, said the Taipei-based China Times.

“This has something to do with the countries abiding by the 'one-China' policy to avoid contact with Taiwan's high-ranking officials,” the report said.

A Taiwanese delegation led by Siew arrived in Asuncion on Friday to attend the festivities, according to Taiwan's presidential office.

Paraguay is among only 23 nations that officially recognize Taiwan as independent from China, from which the island split in 1949 after a civil war.

But Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island under its “one-China” policy and opposes other countries establishing formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Taiwan and China have in the past used “dollar diplomacy,” offering generous financial packages to ensure the loyalty of governments, especially in Africa, Latin America and the Pacific.

Tensions have eased since Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008 on a Beijing-friendly platform.

However, Ma on Tuesday protested to China for allegedly pressuring the World Health Organization into telling its officials to refer to the island as a Chinese province.

A foreign ministry spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the report.

Taiwan to Help Paraguay: Siew

Siew said Saturday that Taiwan will help Paraguay, its only diplomatic ally in South America, to develop food product manufacturing and processing.

Siew said Taiwan will assist the country with its development of agricultural product manufacturing and processing, especially soybeans and maize. Paraguay is one of the major soybean- and maize-producing countries in Latin America.

Taiwan will also help increase the marketing of such products to the South American Common Market (Mercosur) member countries, which include Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay, he said.

Siew made the remarks during an interview with Paraguayan media.

He also said bilateral relations remain strong and that Taiwan will continue to strengthen collaboration between the two countries and help Paraguay create more employment opportunities for its people.

Siew was scheduled to attend celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Paraguay's independence Sunday on behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou.

From Paraguay, Siew and his 40-member delegation will travel to Panama — one of Taiwan's Central American diplomatic allies, where he is expected to meet with President Ricardo Martinelli and witness the signing of a visa-waiver agreement between the two countries.

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