Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te’s attendance Tuesday at the inauguration of new Paraguayan President Santiago Pena has highlighted the importance Taipei attaches to its sole remaining diplomatic partner in South America, amid growing Chinese efforts to isolate the democratic island.
But the visit has also reignited a hotly debated topic in Taiwan — whether the longstanding struggle with China over diplomatic recognition is still worth it for Taiwan, particularly as the self-ruled island seems to be finding meaningful returns through unofficial diplomacy.
In his inauguration speech, Pena indicated that relations with Taipei will continue to grow, with the 44-year-old from the ruling Colorado Party saying that Paraguay and Taiwan are “not just allies, but also brothers.