Chinese language international ministry cites nationwide sovereignty and Taiwan separatist actions as causes behind the measures.
Revealed On 12 Oct 2026
China has sanctioned Paraguay’s communications minister and Belize’s international minister over ties to Taiwan.
The Chinese language Ministry of Overseas Affairs made the announcement on Monday, citing the safeguarding of China’s nationwide sovereignty and opposition to Taiwan separatist actions as the explanations behind the measures, which went into impact the identical day.
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The measures towards Paraguay’s Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize’s Overseas Minister Francis Fonseca embrace the freezing of their belongings in China and the denial of entry visas to Hong Kong and Macau.
The sanctions additionally prohibit Chinese language organisations and people from participating in transactions, cooperation or different actions with the ministers.
The Overseas Ministry stated that “sure anti-China politicians” who’re “pushed by self-interest” have pushed their nations to keep up diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Beijing stated the ministers had “taken a sequence of egregious actions and statements”, that are “damaging China’s core pursuits”.
Paraguay and Belize are two of 12 nations that preserve formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
China views Taiwan as its territory, a view the island’s authorities strongly rejects.
The measures come two days after Taiwan’s Nationwide Day celebration.
In a Nationwide Day speech exterior the Presidential Workplace on Saturday, Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te stated the island “cherishes peace” and can “not surrender our freedom”.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Workplace condemned Lai’s speech, saying it “disregards details, distorts the reality, misleads the general public, and divulges ulterior motives”.
In January, Chinese language President Xi Jinping pledged to achieve the “reunification” of China and Taiwan, calling the aim “unstoppable”.
Diplomatic relations
Paraguay’s Communications Minister Villate marked Taiwan’s Nationwide Day with a social media submit, saying: “Paraguay reaffirms its relationship of friendship and cooperation, based mostly on shared values and ideas: the self-determination of peoples, human rights and democracy.”
The Belize embassy in Taiwan additionally posted a message on its Fb celebrating the thirty seventh anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
“Collectively, we stay up for a way forward for development, alternative, and lasting friendship,” the embassy wrote.
Final month, Taiwan’s Overseas Minister Lin Chia-lung visited Belize. His ministry stated the 2 sides had agreed to deepen ties.
Taiwan’s different allies within the Americas embrace Guatemala and Haiti. It additionally has formal diplomatic ties with three Caribbean islands.
The USA doesn’t have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, however Washington is certain by regulation to supply the island with the means to defend itself.
Earlier this month, the US delivered two fighter jets to Taiwan because the island seeks to construct its defence capabilities to discourage a feared assault from China.
