China sanctions Paraguay and Belize ministers over Taiwan ties

China on Monday imposed sanctions on two cabinet members from countries that recognise Taiwan: Paraguay’s Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. China’s Foreign Ministry said their assets in China would be frozen and that they would be barred from entering the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. Chinese companies and individuals are prohibited from dealing with them. According to Bloomberg and India's WION, it is the first time Beijing has sanctioned officials of Taiwan’s allies.

Beijing said the move was meant to safeguard its sovereignty and oppose Taiwanese “separatist” activities, accusing the two ministers of “a series of egregious actions and statements” that damaged China’s core interests. The measures came two days after Taiwan’s National Day, which Villate marked with a post on X reaffirming Paraguay’s friendship with Taiwan.

Paraguay and Belize are among only 12 countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung visited Belize in September. There was no immediate official reaction from Asunción, Belmopan or Taipei.