TAIPEI, May 8 (Reuters) - Paraguay "deeply values" its relations with Taiwan and will continue to offer support, President Santiago Pena said on Friday as he was formally welcomed in Taipei by President Lai Ching-te.
Paraguay is one of only 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and Pena's visit comes as China steps up efforts to draw the South American country away from Taipei. China on Thursday called on him to end relations with Taiwan.
The trip is Pena's second visit
as president to the democratically governed island that China claims as its own territory. Landlocked Paraguay is Taiwan's last diplomatic ally in South America, and the largest by land area.
Speaking at a welcome ceremony with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in Taipei, Pena reafirmed his commitment to the relationship.
"Paraguay deeply values this relationship and reiterates its commitment to continue supporting Taiwan in a strategic alliance based on shared values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law," he said.
Lai told Pena that Taiwan and Paraguay share the same values of freedom and democracy.
"The Paraguayan government has long spoken up for Taiwan in the international arena and firmly supports Taiwan's international participation," he said.
"I believe that through President Pena's visit this time, the friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay will become even deeper and cooperation even closer."
Pena has a good relationship with the United States and in February visited Washington for U.S. President Donald Trump's new board of peace, where Trump called Pena a "young handsome guy".
China says Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to the trappings of a state, a position Lai and his government reject.
Pena's government has repeatedly said ties with Taipei are rooted in shared democratic values.
China has been stepping up outreach to Paraguay's political class. A Reuters report in March outlined how more than a dozen Paraguayan lawmakers, journalists and opposition figures have visited China since late 2023, amid growing internal debate over whether maintaining relations with Taiwan carries economic costs.
(Reporting by Fabian Hamacher and Ann Wang; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista in Beijing; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Neil Fullick.)
