Taiwan's Vice President travels to Paraguay amid China's efforts to isolate the island

(Patria) - Taiwan's Vice President traveled on Saturday to Paraguay to strengthen relations with his government's
last diplomatic partner in South America at a time when China is intensifying efforts to isolate the island democracy, AP reports.

William Lai's trip includes stops in San Francisco and New York, and Beijing has criticized Washington for allowing it.

Lai is expected to attend the inauguration of Paraguay's newly elected President Santiago Peña on Tuesday.
Lai said he would meet with officials from other governments "so that the international community understands that Taiwan is a country that insists on its democracy, human rights and freedom and actively participates in international affairs."

Paraguay is part of a shrinking group of 12 governments that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. These are mostly small, poor countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Taiwan lost a partner this year when Honduras officially recognized Beijing.

Peña visited Taiwan in July and told President Tsai Ing-wen that his country would "stand with the people of Taiwan" during his five-year term.

Taiwanese officials usually stop in the United States on their way to and from Latin America and meet with US officials, which irritates Beijing. The Taiwanese government has given no indication that Lai is expected to meet with US officials.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously stated that it would "monitor developments" and was prepared to take "resolute and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."