BEIJING — China has slapped sanctions on top diplomats from Paraguay and Belize due to their diplomatic ties with Taiwan, intensifying pressure on the self-governing island’s remaining international allies.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Monday, October 12, that it has penalized Paraguay’s communications minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca.
Beijing stated that the restrictions—which include visa bans, frozen assets, and prohibitions on Chinese entities cooperating with them—are meant to defend national sovereignty and counter moves toward Taiwanese independence.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticized the officials for engaging with Taipei, accusing them of spreading falsehoods regarding state-sponsored cyber intrusions.
“Certain politicians in Paraguay and Belize have willingly served as pawns of the Taiwan authorities in their attempts to seek Taiwan independence by soliciting external forces,” Mao said.
Paraguay and Belize remain among just 12 nations maintaining official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. While the asset freezes and travel bans are largely symbolic since officials recognizing Taipei rarely visit China, Beijing has aggressively worked to shrink Taiwan’s diplomatic network, recently flipping nations like Honduras and Nauru.
The punitive measures drew swift international backlash. The United States State Department condemned the move, reaffirming support for sovereign nations facing external pressure.
“The Trump Administration opposes coercion and aggression by China against countries in our hemisphere for exercising their sovereign rights,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai denounced Beijing’s interference, asserting that China lacks any authority to dictate Taiwan’s foreign affairs.
Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi similarly dismissed the penalties, questioning the broad scope of Beijing’s actions.
“Are they going to sanction the entire world?” he said.