Paraguay’s move to expel Chinese diplomat seriously violates international norms: Chinese FM

In response to Paraguay's announcement on Thursday to expel a Chinese diplomat under the excuse of "interference in internal affairs," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that the accusations and demands made by relevant Paraguayan departments against members of the Chinese delegation to the UNESCO session in Paraguay are baseless and unjustified, seriously violating international practices. China firmly opposes such actions.

Lin said that recently, at the invitation of the Paraguayan government, the Chinese government delegation attended the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. As a member of the United Nations and UNESCO, and as the host of this session, Paraguay's accusations and demands against members of the Chinese delegation are baseless and unjustified, seriously violating international practices.

Lin emphasized that there is only one China in the world, and the island of Taiwan is an inseparable part of the Chinese territory. The one-China principle has been affirmed by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 and is widely recognized as a fundamental norm in international relations, as well as a consensus within the international community. Reaffirming and upholding the one-China principle is legitimate and transparent anywhere in the world, and there is no issue of "interference in internal affairs."

A Chinese diplomat's visa was canceled by Paraguay, and he was ordered to leave, the South American country's foreign ministry said on Thursday, according to the Reuters.