Beijing sanctions Paraguayan and Belizean ministers over support for Taiwan

China has imposed sanctions on government ministers from Paraguay and Belize. The sanctions, announced on Monday by China's foreign ministry, target Gustavo Villate, Paraguay's minister of information and communication technologies, and Francis Fonseca, Belize's minister of foreign affairs, foreign trade, education, culture, science and technology. These measures were enacted because both nations have recently established deals with Taiwan. The sanctions include freezing the ministers' assets within China and prohibiting further engagement.

China has imposed sanctions on Paraguay's Communications Minister Gustavo Villate and Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the measures on Monday, citing the need to safeguard China's national sovereignty and oppose Taiwan separatist activities. These sanctions, which took effect the same day, include freezing the ministers' assets in China and denying them entry visas to Hong Kong and Macau. Chinese organizations and individuals are also prohibited from engaging in transactions or cooperation with the sanctioned ministers. Beijing stated that these ministers had taken actions and made statements damaging China's core interests, driven by self-interest and pushing their nations to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Paraguay and Belize are among the few countries that formally recognize Taiwan.