China imposed sanctions Monday on Paraguay’s information and communications technology minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca because of their countries’ formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

The measures freeze any assets the two ministers hold in China, prohibit Chinese organizations and individuals from transactions or cooperation with them, and bar their entry to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. China’s Foreign Ministry said the restrictions took effect October 12.

Beijing cites visits and cyber allegations

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the ministers of visiting Taiwan, receiving Taiwanese officials and spreading what Beijing calls disinformation about Chinese cyberattacks. Those accusations are the Chinese government’s stated justification for the sanctions; they do not independently establish the underlying cyber claims.

Villate told local media the measures were expected and said Paraguay would continue joint projects with Taiwan, including a data centre. Belize’s foreign ministry had not responded publicly when Reuters and The Associated Press published their reports.

Taiwan rejects China’s authority to intervene

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the sanctions as interference in the foreign policy of other countries. Beijing claims Taiwan as Chinese territory; Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects that claim.

Paraguay and Belize are among 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Reuters described the new restrictions as largely symbolic because officials from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies generally do not travel to China, but the action adds to Beijing’s pressure on Taipei’s remaining partners.

Sources: Reuters, October 12; The Associated Press, October 12; Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing, October 12; Chinese Foreign Ministry order concerning Villate; Chinese Foreign Ministry order concerning Fonseca.

Lead image: public-domain locator map of the countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, by Lilauid via Wikimedia Commons, October 28, 2024. The map predates Monday’s sanctions and is used for geographic context.