Paraguay’s Foreign Ministry said this week that brokers had contacted it claiming they were offering batches of a Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for the country cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – March 28, 2021 – Diplomatic Affairs
The ministry said in a statement that the “mediators and other private persons” who offered the deal “have no official status, and their legitimacy or links to the government of the People’s Republic of China has not been proven.”
The Chinese government has also denied any role in the alleged deal, which would represent Beijing’s most effort yet to conduct “vaccine diplomacy” – providing early access to vaccine doses in exchange for favorable political or economic concessions.
Paraguay is one of Taiwan’s fifteen official diplomatic allies and the only remaining ally in South America. In recent years, China has lured its neighbors with promises of large-scale loans and investment in infrastructure, rendering Taiwan unable to match its offers of cash assistance.
Taiwan has managed to preserve its relationship with Paraguay by deepening economic ties and emphasizing similarities between the two countries – the two small countries are accustomed to being bullied by their big neighbors.
The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry did not interact with the alleged Chinese mediators, saying, “The painful humanitarian situation resulting from the epidemic … should not be used to achieve a political or economic goal.”
Paraguay recently witnessed street protests due to popular anger over the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, thousands protested in the capital, Asuncion, due to the high incidence of coronavirus and the scarcity of intensive care beds and available medicines.
In response to those protests, Taiwan offered to help Paraguay purchase COVID-19 vaccines to start vaccinating its residents.
Days ago, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Paraguay to work with Taiwan to combat the epidemic. The US State Department said Blinken had spoken to Paraguayan President Mario Abdo, who had demanded that the protesters stand trial.
Earlier this month, Paraguay’s Senate approved a declaration of support for the use of $ 12.8 million provided by Taiwan for a housing development project to purchase two million doses of vaccine.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said: This week, any money that Taiwan gives to Paraguay cannot be used to buy vaccines made in China and one of the conditions is to prevent the purchase of Chinese vaccines and if Chinese vaccines are purchased, you cannot use Taiwan’s money. ”Paraguayan Foreign Minister Euclid said. Acevedo, his country will not accept vaccine deals on political or legal terms, such as severing ties with Taiwan.
The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the alleged plot. Without evidence, the reports were part of a disinformation campaign that originated in Taiwan, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. China may have more opportunities for “vaccine diplomacy” in the coming months.
Low-income countries continue to fight to secure doses while rich countries stock up on excess vaccines, practice experts say could prolong the pandemic for years.
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Source: Ukrgate
