my country’s South American friend Paraguay held a presidential election a few days ago. The election result is believed to determine whether Paraguay maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and has attracted the attention of the international media. Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Peña was asked in an interview whether he would maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan after winning the election. He stated that establishing diplomatic relations with China is not attractive. We hope to become the spokesperson of Taiwan in the international community and speak out for Taiwan in the international community.

According to Japan’s Asahi Shimbun, Paraguay’s presidential election was held on April 30, and Pania won the election. In an exclusive interview with Asahi Shimbun on April 27, he said that Paraguay’s presidential election has never received such attention in memory. Compared with other countries in South America, Paraguay is small in size and is like an “isolated island on land” in terms of logistics and information. However, this presidential election has attracted an unprecedented large number of international media to interview. It is an excellent opportunity to let the world know about Paraguay.

The report mentioned that Paraguay is the only remaining diplomatic relationship with Taiwan in South America. Because the result of the general election will determine whether the diplomatic relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan can continue, it has attracted international attention. In this presidential election, Panya’s strong opponent is the opposition candidate Efrain Alegre. Erigeron once hinted that if he is in power, he will establish diplomatic relations with China. Pania retorted: “That is a big mistake. It is absolutely necessary to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This is the consensus of Paraguayan society.”

Pania stressed that it is necessary for Paraguay to think about making more contributions to the world in the future. Not to establish diplomatic relations with China, but to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan is to contribute to the world. Because Paraguay and Taiwan are strongly linked by the common value of democracy. Paraguay has experienced a dictatorship in the past 35 years. Paraguay’s experience in democracy is still relatively shallow, and it is still in the process of cultivation. Democracy may not be the best choice, but it is the best choice in terms of the current system, and the whole world should know this fact.

When asked about “Paraguay may have greater economic benefits if it establishes diplomatic relations with China”, Pania replied frankly: “A quarter of Paraguay’s population lives in poverty. I don’t think that if we establish diplomatic relations with China, the poverty situation will decrease. If To reduce poverty, you need to implement excellent public policies, and you need to increase investment in people by expanding the education and medical systems. In these areas, Taiwan has made great contributions to Paraguay so far.”

Media inquiries: “In the past 20 years, Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador in Central America have broken off diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China. The trade volume of these countries has increased, and many large buildings with Chinese capital can be seen on the streets. These facts Isn’t it charming?” Panya replied, “Not at all. I’m an economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and I’ve seen things in Africa and I know how much influence China has, but those countries haven’t changed. be rich and happy.”

Pania pointed out that China is one of the important trading countries for Paraguay. Paraguay is committed to the transformation of primary industry into the export of secondary industry products. If it is included in the huge Chinese market that requires primary industry products, it will make Paraguay’s industrial transformation more difficult. He also emphasized that Paraguay and Taiwan share the values ​​of democracy. In the future, Paraguay will not only maintain its relationship with Taiwan, but also strengthen it, hoping to become the spokesperson of Taiwan in the international community.