China has announced sanctions against Belize’s foreign minister and Paraguay’s communications minister over their countries’ diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The move comes as Beijing continues to pressure the few remaining nations that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei.
China's foreign ministry announced the measures on Monday, 12 October, citing concerns over national sovereignty and security. Beijing accused politicians in both countries of taking what it described as “anti-China” positions by supporting continued diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The sanctions target Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca and Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate. Both officials are now barred from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Chinese individuals and organisations are also prohibited from conducting transactions, cooperating or engaging in other activities with them.
The announcement follows recent diplomatic meetings involving both ministers and Taiwanese officials. Fonseca met Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung in Belize in September, while Villate held talks with Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi in Paraguay in June.
Belize and Paraguay are among just twelve countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Beijing considers the self-governing island part of its territory, a position firmly rejected by Taiwan's government.
Although the sanctions carry political significance, their practical impact is expected to be limited, as officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies rarely travel to China. Beijing has previously imposed similar restrictions, mainly targeting Western politicians who have expressed support for Taiwan.
Neither Belize's foreign ministry nor Paraguay's Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies immediately responded to requests for comment. Taiwan's foreign ministry also had no immediate response.
The Chinese announcement came shortly after Belize's embassy in Taiwan marked the 37th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on 11 October.
“Together, we look forward to a future of growth, opportunity, and lasting friendship,” the Belize embassy wrote on Facebook.
The sanctions come amid Beijing's continued efforts to persuade Taiwan's remaining diplomatic partners to switch recognition to China.
Nauru became the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in 2024, following Honduras, which ended its decades-long relationship with Taiwan in 2023.
Russia has violated an energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelen...
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine is ready to respect the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Tru...
The explosion at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Saturday afternoon killed at least 12 people and injured a further 309, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The airport remains closed until further notice.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a new attack Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis that killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukraine is ready to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries if Moscow also halts strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday.
Russia has violated an energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday, urging Washington to step in to ensure that Moscow abided by the terms of the putative agreement.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday that Ukraine is ready to respect the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, but only if Russia does the same, saying Moscow has already violated the agreement.
North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Monday, South Korea's military said, marking Pyongyang's fourth launch in a month and following Seoul's recent test of a hypersonic missile.
India’s ‘Cockroach’ movement began as an online satire-driven initiative and evolved into a protest group challenging political and institutional decisions. It has since drawn attention over education-related grievances and is now calling for the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment