PARAGUAY: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian visits Paraguay and accuses China of threatening the world's security

Record ID: 450839

  • Title: PARAGUAY: Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian visits Paraguay and accuses China of threatening the world's security
  • Date: 6th May 2006
  • Summary: EXTERIOR OF YACHT CLUB HOTEL IN WHICH TAIWANESE PRESIDENT IS STAYING
  • Embargoed: 21st May 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Paraguay
  • Country: Paraguay
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7TI4VFAZ56XQEOC7BMRYLL548
  • Story Text: On an official visit to Paraguay on Friday (May 5), Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian met Paraguay President Nicanor Duarte and accused China of destabilizing world security.
    "It's highly unfortunate that the totalitarian, communist government of continental China that proclaims itself in favour of peace, besides from treating its people with repressive and violent methods, has not to this date abandoned its threat of using military force or other non-peaceful methods to resolve the problem of the Taiwanese straight," he said as he addressed the Paraguayan parliament.
    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.
    Taiwan's only ally in South America, Paraguay has received millions of dollars in donations and loans from the self-ruled island. Many countries, including the United States, refuse official visits from Taiwan and consider authorities in Beijing to be China's legitimate government.
    But Paraguay has benefited financially from its ties to Taiwan and Chen promised to provide $250 million in subsidies to Taiwanese entrepreneurs in Paraguay to help stimulate investment in the South American country and strengthen friendly bilateral ties. He also said Taiwan would resume imports of Paraguayan beef after closing its doors due to foot-and-mouth disease and would double its import quota to 440 tonnes in December.
    As the two presidents toured the Ñu (nyu) Guazu (GWAH-zoo) park that was built with Taiwanese funds, Paraguay President Nicanor Duarte Frutos said his country was very grateful for the aid.
    "One example of this ethical, moral mission of humanity is the one you have as president and the one the Taiwanese people always had with Paraguay, which we will never stop valuing," Duarte said.
    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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