Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña says he deeply values his country’s ties with Taiwan, in a show of solidarity after China asked the South American nation to sever diplomatic relations with Taipei.

TAIPEI, May 8 (Reuters) - Paraguay "deeply values" its relations with Taiwan and will continue to offer support, President Santiago Pena said on Friday as he was formally welcomed in Taipei by President Lai Ching-te.

President Lai Ching-te was supposed to travel to the African kingdom of Eswatini, but had to cancel the initial trip owing to Chinese pressure, Taiwan’s government said.

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Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña arrives in Taiwan on his first visit to the self-ruled island. Paraguay is the last South American country to recognize Taiwan despite China's efforts to lure away its allies.

TAIPEI, May 7 (Reuters) - Taiwan has carried out ⁠the ⁠maiden torpedo test firing for ⁠its first domestically developed submarine, a major milestone in ​a project aimed at strengthening deterrence against the Chinese navy and protecting vital sea ‌lanes in the event of ‌war.

Taiwan estimates it has secured enough natural gas through September, the latest effort by the chipmaking hub to boost energy security as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz chokes global supply.

Eswatini remains the only African nation without tariff-free access to China's market due to its ties with Taiwan.

F OR MOST of the year, the strait between Taiwan and mainland China is a violent place. Gale-force winds howl across its 160km width, whipping up high seas in the autumn and winte