China announced sanctions against ministers from Paraguay and Belize effective 12 Oct. These include asset freezes, travel bans to China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and prohibitions on Chinese organizations and individuals conducting transactions or cooperation with them, following both countries’ continued diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The Chinese government declared sanctions on Gustavo Biazetto, Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communication Technology, and Francis Fonseca, Belize's Minister of Foreign Affairs, because both countries maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the sanctions take effect from 12 Oct, covering asset freezes of both ministers’ holdings in China, visa denials, and bans on Chinese individuals and organizations from conducting transactions, cooperating, or engaging in any activities with them. Additionally, travel to China, including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, is prohibited.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused certain politicians in Belize and Paraguay of supporting diplomatic relations with Taiwan for personal gain, taking actions or making statements that harm China’s core interests, and stated the sanctions aim to protect national sovereignty and security and oppose separatist activities.
These sanctions came just two days after Taiwan’s National Day, when Minister Biazetto posted on social media affirming Paraguay’s continued commitment to friendship and cooperation with Taiwan, based on shared values including self-determination, human rights, and democracy.
Paraguay and Belize are two of twelve countries that still maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, while Beijing insists Taiwan is a Chinese province without statehood, a claim Taipei consistently rejects.
Analysts see these sanctions mainly as symbolic since ministers from countries allied with Taiwan rarely need to travel to China. However, China continues to pressure Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies to sever ties with Taipei.
Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña, who has described Taiwan as an important partner, visited Taipei earlier this year and signed several agreements covering legal assistance in criminal cases, cybersecurity cooperation, and investment in artificial intelligence and computing.
In September, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu visited Belize, with Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating both sides agreed to strengthen their relationship further.
Other countries in the Americas maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan include Guatemala and Haiti, as well as some Caribbean island nations.
China has continuously sought to reduce Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. Nauru, a small Pacific island nation, cut ties with Taiwan in 2024, while Honduras ended relations in 2023 after decades of diplomatic ties.
Paraguay’s communications agency and Belize’s foreign ministry have not immediately responded to requests for comment, while Taiwan’s foreign ministry has yet to comment on the sanctions.