China sanctions ministers from Paraguay and Belize over Taiwan ties

China has sanctioned Paraguay’s communications minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca, over their governments’ formal relations with Taiwan. Reuters reported that the measures bar the two officials from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau and restrict dealings with Chinese organisations and individuals.

Beijing’s foreign ministry accused politicians in both countries of harming Chinese sovereignty and encouraging what it calls separatism. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s claim of authority over the democratically governed island. Paraguay and Belize are among 12 governments that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei, making their ties a continuing target of Chinese pressure.

The sanctions are likely to be largely symbolic because senior officials from Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies seldom travel to China. They nevertheless widen Beijing’s use of personal restrictions beyond Western politicians and underline the cost it seeks to attach to official contacts with Taiwan.

Reuters said the Paraguayan, Belizean and Taiwanese governments had not issued immediate responses when the measures were announced. The sanctions therefore establish China’s action, but not whether either country will alter its diplomatic position. Recognition decisions remain sovereign choices by those governments, while Beijing continues to insist that states cannot recognise both China and Taiwan.