China has imposed sanctions on the communications minister of Paraguay and the foreign minister of Belize over their countries’ diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of its territory.
China’s Foreign Ministry announced the measures on Monday, accusing some politicians in the two countries of taking an anti-China stance by supporting continued diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Paraguay and Belize are among the 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s claim to sovereignty over the self-governing island.
The sanctions include restrictions on entry into Hong Kong and Macau, as well as a ban on Chinese organisations and individuals engaging in transactions, cooperation or other activities with the two ministers, according to notices issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The ministry cited national sovereignty and security as the reasons for the measures.
The sanctions are largely symbolic, as ministers from countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan generally do not travel to China.
Similar measures have previously been imposed mainly on Western politicians over their support for Taiwan.
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Belize’s Foreign Minister, Francis Fonseca, met his Taiwanese counterpart, Lin Chia-lung, in Belize last month, while Paraguay’s Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, Gustavo Villate, met Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Chen Ming-chi, in Paraguay in June.
Shortly before China announced the sanctions, the Belize embassy in Taiwan published a message on Facebook marking the 37th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides on October 11.
“Together, we look forward to a future of growth, opportunity, and lasting friendship,” the embassy said.
Paraguay’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies and Belize’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular office hours. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry also had no immediate comment.
China considers Taiwan a province with no right to statehood, a position strongly rejected by Taipei, which maintains its own government.
Beijing has intensified efforts to persuade Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies to sever relations with the island and establish ties with China.
Nauru, a small Pacific island nation, was the most recent country to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2024. Honduras ended its decades-long diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2023.
