TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Paraguay, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America, voiced support for Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations (UN) during the 78th United Nations General Assembly held in New York on Tuesday (Sept. 19).
Santiago Peña, the Paraguayan President, made the statement when addressing the assembly.
This follows a five-day visit to Taiwan in July by Peña at the invitation of the Taiwanese government, asserting that 'the relationship between Taiwan and Paraguay is not subject to the interference of any foreign regimes.'
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, previously stated that "every individual is essential, whether from Taiwan or elsewhere." When questioned about Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations on Sept. 15, she declared that "excluding anyone may damage global development objectives."
Under a resolution made in 1971, Taiwan had been excluded from the United Nations because it recognizes only the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China in the organization.