PARAGUAY: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian concludes his Paraguayan visit with promise to increase Taiwanese investments in the country /meets with President Nicacanor Duarte Frutos

Record ID: 450824

  • Title: PARAGUAY: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian concludes his Paraguayan visit with promise to increase Taiwanese investments in the country /meets with President Nicacanor Duarte Frutos
  • Date: 7th May 2006
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PRESIDENTS UNCOVERING PLAQUE OF COMMEMORATION OF TOWN (3 SHOTS) PEOPLE APPLAUDING PRESIDENTS ENTERING A HOUSE (2 SHOTS) WIDE OF COMMUNITY AND PARAGUAY AND TAIWAN FLAGS FLYING
  • Embargoed: 22nd May 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Paraguay
  • Country: Paraguay
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2VYQHXAJTKA6VCTY561YAQ4T9
  • Story Text: As he toured two social projects financed by his government, Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian concluded his visit to Paraguay on Saturday (May 6) with a promise to increase Taiwanese investments in the country, one of the poorest in South America.
    Chen first toured the Tape Pyahu (TAH-peh pee-ah-HOO) Home, a project of Paraguay first lady Maria Gloria Penayo de Duarte, in Itaugua (ee-TAH-gwah), 50 kilometres east of the capital city of Asuncion. The community, financed by both Paraguay and Taiwan, provides housing, food, health care and mental health services to children and adolescents who are orphaned or have been removed from their homes. The 220 youths live with foster families and attend school or receive job training in the community. To date, 64 have returned to live with their biological families.
    From there, Chen visited Coronel Oviedo, the hometown of Paraguay President Nicanor Duarte Frutos which lies 150 km east of Asuncion. There, Chen was handed the keys to the city and he toured the Nuevo Horizonte (nweh-VOH oh-ree-SOHN-teh) community, jointly funded by the two countries. The housing development contains 78-houses and a community centre that shelter the poor and provide them with occupational training.
    Chen wanted to strengthen bilateral ties with its only ally in South America as other countries in the continent move closer to its rival, mainland China.
    Many countries, including the United States, refuse official visits from Taiwan and consider authorities in Beijing to be China's legitimate government. China contends that Taiwan must accept reunification with the mainland after more than half a century of separation, and its government views any country that plays host to Chen as encouraging his vision of a separate Taiwanese identity. But Paraguay has chosen to remain close to Taiwan and has benefited financially from the relationship.
    On Friday, Chen promised to provide $250 million USD in much-needed subsidies to Taiwanese entrepreneurs in Paraguay to help stimulate investment in the South American country and strengthen friendly bilateral ties. Paraguay agreed to continue supporting recognition of Taiwan before international bodies.
    Chen is in Paraguay until Sunday, when he will travel to Costa Rica to attend the inauguration of President-elect Oscar Arias.
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