Paraguay's president visits Taiwan as pressure from China grows

Paraguay's President Santiago Pena arrived in Taiwan on Thursday on his first visit to the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own territory.

Paraguay is the last country in South America and one of 12 worldwide to recognize Taiwan. China, which has not ruled out force in annexing Taiwan, has been ramping up a campaign over the past few years to lure Taiwan's diplomatic allies.

Paraguay maintains a solid trade relationship with China but has nevertheless reaffirmed its commitment to Taipei as its diplomatic partner.

Pena is leading a business delegation from areas such as agriculture and finance to Taiwan from Thursday until Sunday, according to Taiwan's Foreign Ministry.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te is set to welcome Pena with military honors on Friday.

The visit comes as Beijing has been increasing pressure on the island democracy, including sending warplanes and navy vessels toward the island on a near-daily basis.

Taiwan, meanwhile, has sought to assert its presence internationally.

Last week, Lai visited the southern African nation of Eswatini, Taipei's last remaining diplomatic partner in Africa, after being forced to postpone the trip when several countries withdrew permission for him to fly over their territories reportedly over Chinese pressure.

China did not confirm nor deny the allegations but instead expressed "high appreciation" for the countries' adherence to the so-called "one China principle," in reference to Beijing's claims over Taiwan.

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, when the Communist Party rose to power in Beijing following a civil war. Defeated Nationalist Party forces fled to Taiwan, which later transitioned from martial law to multiparty democracy.