World
China Imposes Sanctions on Paraguay and Belize Ministers for Taiwan Relations
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that it had imposed sanctions on Paraguay’s Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca for maintaining ties with Taiwan. The measures, which took effect the same day, include freezing the ministers’ assets in China and denying them entry visas to Hong Kong and Macau. Chinese organisations and individuals are also prohibited from engaging in transactions or cooperation with the ministers.
The ministry said the sanctions were intended to safeguard China’s national sovereignty and to oppose what it calls Taiwan separatist activities. It criticised “certain anti‑China politicians” who, it said, are driven by self‑interest and have encouraged their countries to keep diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Beijing described the ministers’ actions and statements as “egregious” and damaging to China’s core interests.
Paraguay and Belize are two of 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, a position that the island’s government rejects.
The sanctions came two days after Taiwan celebrated its National Day. In a speech outside the Presidential Office on Saturday, Taiwan President William Lai Ching‑te said the island “cherishes peace” and will “not give up our freedom.” China’s Taiwan Affairs Office condemned the speech, saying it “disregards facts, distorts the truth, misleads the public, and reveals ulterior motives.”
In January, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to achieve the “reunification” of China and Taiwan, calling the goal “unstoppable.”
Paraguay’s Communications Minister Villate posted on social media to mark Taiwan’s National Day, stating that Paraguay “reaffirms its relationship of friendship and cooperation, based on shared values and principles: the self‑determination of peoples, human rights and democracy.” The Belize embassy in Taiwan also posted a message on Facebook celebrating the 37th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, saying: “Together, we look forward to a future of growth, opportunity, and lasting friendship.”
Last month, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia‑lung visited Belize, and his ministry said the two sides had agreed to deepen ties. Taiwan’s other allies in the Americas include Guatemala and Haiti, and it has formal diplomatic ties with three Caribbean islands. The United States does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but Washington is required by law to provide the island with means to defend itself. Earlier this month, the U.S. delivered two fighter jets to Taiwan as the island seeks to build its defence capabilities to deter a feared attack from China.