Paraguay reaffirmed its backing for Taiwan during a first-ever visit by its deputy foreign minister, a boost for Taipei as it fights to hold onto its shrinking circle of diplomatic allies.

• Miguel Ángel Aranda, Paraguay's deputy foreign minister for administrative and technical affairs, met Taiwan's foreign minister Lin Chia-lung in Taipei on Tuesday.
• Paraguay said Taiwan deserves a place in international bodies and pledged to keep pushing for that.
• Paraguay is Taiwan's only remaining ally in South America, and President Santiago Peña has repeatedly spoken up for Taipei on the world stage.
• The two sides already work together on universities, health care, smart transport, trade and tech, and are planning a new push on artificial intelligence.
• Next year marks 70 years of formal ties between them.

Outlook: Expect more joint projects and a high-profile anniversary push next year, with China likely to keep courting Asunción to switch sides.