Taiwan Today

President Tsai Ing-wen was conferred a Paraguayan national medal of honor by President Horacio Cartes during a reception at the presidential palace June 28 in the capital Asuncion. Tsai, who is visiting Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic allies Panama and Paraguay on a nine-day trip, received the Marshal Francisco Solano Lopez Honor Medal following an in-depth meeting with Cartes. The trip is her first abroad since taking office in May. “The medal is a great honor and symbolizes Paraguay’s sincere friendship with Taiwan and the value it places on bilateral relations,” she said. “The two countries have forged deep ties and considerably intensified exchanges over the years.” According to Tsai, Taiwan’s and Paraguay’s industrial structures are complementary, and expanding bilateral economic and trade cooperation is important to both sides. “Given that Paraguay is a founding member of Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, and boasts a wealth of natural resources, we look forward to the public and private sectors of the two nations working together and capitalizing on the potential-laden Southern Common and Asian markets,” she said. Since Cartes was elected president in 2013, Tsai said, his administration has voiced support for Taiwan at the U.N. General Assembly for three consecutive years, as well as in other international organizations and forums. “This demonstrates that the South American country is Taiwan’s faithful and staunch ally.” Following the medal presentation, Tsai and Cartes signed a statement reaffirming joint relations and pledging further cooperation in the areas of economy, education, technology and trade. They also witnessed the signing of a bilateral aviation cooperation agreement by ROC Minister of Foreign Affairs David Tawei Lee and his Paraguay counterpart Eladio Loizaga. Later in the day, Tsai attended the opening ceremony for the newly constructed ROC embassy in Asuncion, and received the key to the city from Mayor Mario Ferreiro. “Inauguration of the embassy is a new milestone in two-way ties,” Tsai said, adding that next year marks the 60th anniversary of formal relations between Taiwan and Paraguay. “Reciprocity and mutual assistance are Taiwan’s major foreign policy principles, and we will continue strengthening exchanges with Paraguay across a broad spectrum of areas so as to further consolidate bilateral ties. Over the course of her three-day stay, the president is also scheduled to receive Paraguayan participants in the Taiwan Scholarship program, visit a public school to donate computers and review progress of joint cooperation projects. Tsai departs Paraguay June 30 and will stopover in the U.S. city of Los Angeles before arriving July 2 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. (KH-E) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw