China sanctions Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties

What the report says

China has imposed sanctions on officials from Paraguay and Belize because of those countries’ continued ties with Taiwan, according to Al Jazeera’s report citing China’s foreign ministry. The measures target Paraguay’s communications minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca, and were announced on Monday, taking effect the same day.

Beijing said the action was meant to protect China’s sovereignty and counter what it described as Taiwan-related separatist activity. The sanctions include freezing any assets the ministers may have in China and barring entry to Hong Kong and Macau. Chinese organizations and individuals are also prohibited from doing business or other forms of cooperation with them.

The report said China accused the ministers and unnamed “anti-China politicians” of damaging its core interests by supporting diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Paraguay and Belize are among only 12 countries that still recognize Taiwan diplomatically. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, while Taiwan’s government rejects that claim.

The announcement came shortly after Taiwan’s National Day celebrations, when Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te said the island values peace and will not give up its freedom. As broader context, Beijing has long used diplomatic and economic pressure to discourage countries from maintaining official relations with Taipei, and tensions have remained high around Taiwan’s international status.