World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
China sanctions Paraguay and Belize ministers over Taiwan ties
China has imposed sanctions on Paraguay’s communications minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca.
The measures bar them from entering Hong Kong and Macau and restrict Chinese organisations and individuals from doing business or cooperating with them.
China says Taiwan is part of its territory, while Taiwan’s government rejects that claim.
Paraguay and Belize are among just 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The sanctions followed meetings between the two ministers and Taiwanese officials.
China has increased pressure on Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners to cut those ties.
The measures are largely symbolic because ministers from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies generally do not travel to China.
China imposed sanctions on Paraguay’s communications minister and Belize’s foreign minister over their countries’ diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The measures took effect on October 12, according to China’s foreign ministry.
They bar the ministers from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau and prohibit Chinese organisations and individuals from engaging with them.
China said the measures were in response to politicians supporting ties with Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.
Paraguay and Belize are among 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
- Who
- Paraguay’s communications minister Gustavo Villate and Belize’s foreign minister Francis Fonseca.
- What
- China imposed sanctions on the two ministers over their countries’ diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
- When
- The measures took effect on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The measures apply to China, Hong Kong and Macau.
- Why
- China said politicians supporting diplomatic ties with Taiwan had harmed its core interests and cited national sovereignty and security.
China
Paraguay and Belize
Diplomatic ties with Taiwan
China
China says Taiwan is its territory and objects to countries maintaining formal diplomatic relations with it.
Paraguay and Belize
Both countries maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
anti-China
Paraguay’s communications minister Gustavo Villate met Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi in Paraguay.
Belize Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca met Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung in Belize.
China announced sanctions on the two ministers, effective that day.
- Sanctioned Paraguayan official
- Gustavo Villate, communications minister
- Sanctioned Belizean official
- Francis Fonseca, foreign minister
- Measures announced
- October 12, 2026
- Entry restrictions
- Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau
- Taiwan’s diplomatic allies
- 12 countries, including Paraguay and Belize
Sources
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