The Ambassador of Taiwan to Paraguay, José Han, celebrates his fifth anniversary in the country this week. During this time, Ambassador Han has witnessed the strengthening of bilateral relations with key projects, including progress in technical cooperation, trade, and sustainable transportation.
In an interview on the Tribuna program broadcast on Paraguay TV, Han expressed his happiness about living in Paraguay with his wife, originally from Panama, and their two children. During this time, the ambassador has also witnessed the growth of economic ties between both countries.
One of the most recent milestones in this collaboration was the arrival of 30 electric buses from Taiwan, a significant step toward sustainable mobility in Paraguay. These vehicles, part of a pilot plan coordinated with the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC), aim to promote intercity electric transportation, using green energy produced locally in Paraguay. The battery technology in these buses, which prevents them from starting in case of an accident, represents one of the major innovations that Taiwan has brought to Paraguay.
Ambassador Han has overseen a huge boost to bilateral trade
Regarding trade exchanges, the relationship between Taiwan and Paraguay continues to rise. They have highlighted the growth of beef and pork exports, which reached impressive figures, with USD 200 million worth of beef exported last year. He also emphasised that Paraguay is in the process of enabling poultry meat exports to Taiwan. This market is demanding regarding sanitary standards, thus opening new opportunities for Paraguayan products.
“Since I arrived, the beef export quota was eliminated, which has allowed exponential growth in our exports. Now we are working to remove pork tariffs, which will make Paraguay even more competitive in the Taiwanese market,” Ambassador Han commented.
They have also discussed the opportunities Taiwan offers to Paraguayan entrepreneurs looking to expand into the Asian market. “Taiwan is a strategic partner for Paraguay due to its ability to provide advanced technology and its leadership in the development of industries such as food processing,” the Ambassador pointed out. The energy available in Paraguay, combined with Taiwanese raw materials and technology, opens new doors for cooperation in industrial sectors.
Paraguayan talent in education and innovation
A key aspect of bilateral relations is educational cooperation. Through scholarships offered by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and the Taiwan-Paraguay Polytechnic University (UPTP), Paraguayan students can study in Taiwan and acquire valuable technical skills. In this context, Ambassador Han emphasised that Paraguayan talent has proven exceptional, with several students standing out in international science and technology competitions.
Paraguay’s firm stance toward Taiwan
In a complicated geopolitical landscape where Taiwan faces external pressures, especially from China, Paraguay has firmly supported Taiwan, something the Ambassador deeply appreciates. “Paraguay has been a loyal ally for over 68 years, and this has been crucial for Taiwan to maintain its presence on the international stage,” he mentioned.
The relationship between Taiwan and Paraguay continues to strengthen, with advances in key areas such as technology cooperation, trade, and education. Ambassador Han remains committed to promoting collaboration between the two countries, always looking toward new opportunities for mutual development.
A famous face on World Sandwich Day
Ambassador Han joined The Asunción Times on 3rd November last year, where we created an actual world sandwich – also known as an earth sandwich – on World Sandwich Day! The event involved placing a piece of bread at precise antipodal points on the planet, one in Paraguay, and one in Taiwan – the exact opposite sides of planet Earth, making one huge sandwich and bringing together people from both countries. You can watch Ambassador Han’s video here! Thank you for your support Ambassador Han, and we wish you many more years of friendship and success here in Paraguay!
