Paraguay used its UN General Assembly speech to publicly stand with Taiwan, a diplomatic win for Taipei and a direct snub to Beijing.

• President Santiago Peña called for Taiwan's full and meaningful participation in the UN and its agencies.
• He said Taiwan's exclusion from the UN is a stain on the organization.
• Paraguay is one of the few countries that still recognizes Taiwan, and Peña said the support rests on shared democratic values, not convenience.
• He also said Paraguay is ready to sit in the front row at any peace talks over the Taiwan Strait.

Outlook: Beijing is likely to push back, and pressure on Paraguay to switch recognition to China will keep building.