Taiwanese lawmakers meet with Paraguayan counterparts in Asunción

Taipei, Nov. 21 (CNA) A 14-member cross-party legislative delegation led by Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) has met with members of Paraguay's congress in Asunción.

In a statement released Friday, the Legislative Yuan said the delegation on Thursday met with Basilio Gustavo Núñez Giménez, president of Paraguay's Congress and Senate, who led a group of 15 senators from across party lines to receive them.

The Taiwanese delegation included four Kuomintang lawmakers -- including Chiang -- two from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, and one from the opposition Taiwan People's Party. Paraguay is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in South America.

Chiang said in the statement that he was honored to lead the cross-party delegation on behalf of Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜). He said the visit underscored Taiwan's unified support for its 68-year diplomatic relationship with Paraguay.

Chiang noted that bilateral cooperation has extended to education and health care, and expressed hope for more systematic exchanges between Taiwan's Legislature and Paraguay's Congress.

Chiang invited Núñez to visit Taiwan, while Núñez reaffirmed that the two countries' ties are rooted in shared values of human rights, democracy and freedom.

Núñez hosted a formal dinner for the delegation on Thursday evening, during which Chiang wished Paraguay success in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.