President Ma Ying-jeou assured Paraguay Tuesday that his moves to improve Taiwan's relations with China are aimed at reducing tension across the Taiwan Strait and enhancing economic and trade ties, and will not affect the long-term friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay. In a meeting with Paraguayan Foreign Minister H.E. Hector Lacognata at the Presidential Office that same day, Ma praised the development of Paraguay under the administration of President Fernando Lugo in recent years. He pointed out that Taiwan has built solid relations with Paraguay and enjoys sound cooperation with the country in a variety of fields such as agriculture, industry, the military, medicine, culture and economics. Ma said he believes Taiwan's relations with Paraguay will become even more consolidated in the future, as the two sides have always supported freedom, democracy and prosperity. He also expressed his gratitude to Lacognata for sending regards to Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot hit southern Taiwan last August, and for his enthusiasm in continuing to enhance bilateral relations. Taiwan, which now has 23 formal allies, has had diplomatic ties with Paraguay since 1957, the country's sole diplomatic ally in South America. 