Reports have emerged that a $2 million fund provided by the authorities in China’s Taiwan region to Paraguay has been misused, prompting calls for explanation from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities. The fund, intended for constructing housing for indigenous families in Paraguay, was allegedly diverted for the repair of President Mario Abdo Benítez’s private airplane and helicopter, according to local media reports.
The Paraguayan presidential office has denied carrying out the repairs but acknowledged requesting permission from the DPP authorities to repurpose the funds.
From 2018 to 2023, the DPP authorities pledged over $150 million to Paraguay through various projects in exchange for maintaining so-called diplomatic relations. Critics argue that such ‘money diplomacy’ not only squanders the hard-earned money of the people in Taiwan but also exacerbates cross-strait tensions.
Singaporean newspaper Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted that this incident is just the tip of the iceberg, underscoring broader issues in the DPP’s foreign policy strategies.
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DPP's 'money diplomacy' goes awry as fund to Paraguay misused: reports
cgtn.com
