By María Giménez | 2024-12-11

ASUNCIÓN -- A Chinese delegation member visiting Paraguay for a UNESCO meeting was expelled for "interference in internal affairs," according to a December 5 statement from Paraguay's Foreign Ministry.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revoked the visa of Xu Wei, a diplomat from the People's Republic of China, giving him 24 hours to leave the country due to interference in internal affairs," the ministry announced on X.

The Chinese official departed Paraguay at noon on December 7, en route to São Paulo, following the cancellation of his visa.

Xu, a senior Chinese envoy to Latin America, sparked criticism from Taipei after meeting with politicians at Paraguay's congressional headquarters on December 4.

Deputy Foreign Minister Juan Baiardi stated that instead of attending the UNESCO meeting for which he was accredited, Xu engaged in unauthorized political activities in Congress.

"His visa was revoked, and he must leave," Baiardi said, according to an AFP report on December 5. He emphasized that Xu "devoted himself to politics and interfered in our internal affairs."

Stirring controversy

Jorge Kronawetter, director of the National Directorate of Migration, told Paraguay's ABC newspaper that locating Xu on December 5 to formally notify him of the visa revocation took some time.

The delay occurred because the diplomat was not staying at the hotel he had declared.

"Xu refused to receive the notification, hiding in his room and locking himself in," Kronawetter explained.

Migration officials ultimately left the notice with the second hotel's management as witnesses.

Xu was in Asunción to attend the 19th Meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which concluded December 7.

However, his activities extended beyond the event's agenda.

After meeting with opposition senator Ever Villalba and other lawmakers, Xu spoke to journalists covering Congress, whom he assured that Paraguay would profit economically from establishing diplomatic relations with China.

"It is a great pity. Paraguayans are giving away their profits to intermediaries," he remarked.

Xu urged Paraguay to reconsider its stance, emphasizing the nonnegotiable nature of the "one-China principle."

"In this case, it is not China and Taiwan. It is either China or Taiwan. I recommend that Paraguay make the correct decision as soon as possible. Yes indeed. It needs courage," he said.

'Infiltrator'

Taiwan's embassy in Asunción blasted the Chinese diplomat as an "infiltrator" attempting to "undermine the strong friendship between Paraguay and Taiwan with the fallacy of 'one China.'"

"The Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent and sovereign country (...) The Chinese communist regime does not and will never represent Taiwan," the embassy said.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged Beijing to refrain from "threats and provocations" and emphasized Taiwan's commitment to its own sovereignty, according to AFP.

The president of Paraguay's Congress, Senator Basilio Núñez, criticized the Chinese diplomat's visit, stating he refused to meet with Xu in Congress. Xu instead addressed opposition lawmakers, according to Paraguayan newspaper ABC.

Senator Natalicio Chase also condemned Xu’s actions, particularly his statements on Paraguay's relationship with Taiwan following his meeting with Paraguayan legislators.

"I fully support the decision to revoke his visa. This Chinese Foreign Ministry official overstepped his bounds. The measure was appropriate, both because of how he conducted his activities and for expressing opinions on the behavior Paraguay should adopt," Chase said during the Arriba Hoy television program on December 6.

Paraguay does not maintain diplomatic relations with China because of its recognition of Taiwan, a stance Beijing does not accept. Globally, only 12 countries, including Paraguay, Haiti and several small Caribbean and Pacific island nations, recognize Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.