China intensifies its rhetoric for an offensive after the president of Paraguay’s visit to Taiwan

China said more on Tuesday about Paraguayan President Santiago Peña’s trip to Taiwan last week, saying that he and his colleagues were “pawns to separatist forces” and had “ulterior motives” for staying with Taipei.

Paraguay is one of only 12 countries that have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Pena praised the relationship between the two countries as being based on freedom and democracy when he met with President Lai Ching-te.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory. Paraguay’s formal ties with Taiwan are becoming more and more controversial. Some politicians and business leaders say the country hasn’t gotten much economic gain from the relationship and should instead make ties with Beijing.

In a tone even stronger than last week, China’s foreign ministry told Paraguay to cut ties with Taiwan and be on the “right side of history” on Tuesday.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the Ministry, said that polls in Paraguay showed that more than 90% of people wanted to build ties with Beijing. He didn’t say what studies they were or when they were done.

“This ‌fully ⁠demonstrates that wallowing in the mire with the Taiwan authorities is deeply unpopular,” he stated. “Certain Paraguayan politicians not only turn a deaf ear to this, but also brazenly visit Taiwan at the risk of universal condemnation, ​publicly showing support ​for the likes ⁠of Lai Ching-te, and willingly serving as pawns of Taiwan independence separatist forces.”

Guo also said that anyone with good sense can tell if those leaders are working for the good of the people of Paraguay or have “ulterior motives.”

The foreign ministry of Paraguay did not answer a message left outside of business hours in the country.

China says Taiwan is a region and doesn’t deserve the rights of a state. Lai and his government disagree with this.