CHINA-TAIWAN: PARAGUAY FOREIGN MINISTRY CLAIMS INTERMEDIARIES OFFERED CHINESE COVID-19 VACCINES IN EXCHANGE FOR IT SEVERING DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH TAIWAN
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One of 15 countries that maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Paraguay’s foreign ministry was cited by Diplomat (March 27) as saying it had been approached earlier this week by brokers claiming to offer batches of Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine in exchange for Paraguay cutting its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. A statement issued by Paraguay’s foreign ministry on March 22 said the “intermediaries and other private figures” who offered the deal “had no official status, and their legitimacy or links with the government of the People’s Republic of China has not been proved.” The Chinese government has denied a role in the alleged deal.
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