On October 12, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced sanctions on two ministers of Paraguay and Belize, Central and South American countries, in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, on the grounds that they "stubbornly support maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan."
The two people sanctioned are Gustavo Villate, Paraguay’s Minister of Communications and Technology, and Francis Fonseca, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. An announcement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs described them as "anti-China politicians," saying they supported maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan "out of selfish interests" and "adopted a series of bad words and deeds on China-related issues that harmed China's core interests."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference that China will "take all necessary disciplinary measures" against those who "stubbornly support Taiwan independence separatist forces" and "advise" Taiwan's diplomatic allies not to "be manipulated and used by Taiwan independence separatist forces."
Paraguay and Belize are both diplomatic allies of Taiwan. Taiwan currently has 12 diplomatic countries, most of which are located in Latin America and Oceania. The Taiwanese government did not immediately respond to China's sanctions.
The sanctions imposed by China include freezing assets, prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from cooperating with their transactions, not issuing visas, and not allowing entry. The above measures will take effect from October 12.
Reuters pointed out that the above-mentioned sanctions are largely symbolic in nature because officials from Taiwan's diplomatic allies usually do not visit China. China has previously imposed similar measures on European and American politicians friendly to Taiwan. For example, former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was sanctioned by China after her visit to Taiwan in 2022.
Two days before China announced sanctions on Billiat and Fonseca, Taiwan had just celebrated its National Day. Billiat posted a message on the social media platform, reiterating that the friendship and cooperative relations between Paraguay and Taiwan are based on the same values and principles, namely "people's self-determination, human rights and democracy." Billiat led a delegation to visit Taiwan in March 2024; in June this year, he received Chen Ming-chi, the visiting Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, in Paraguay.
On the morning of the 12th, not long before China announced the sanctions, the Belize Embassy in Taiwan published a Facebook post to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belize and Taiwan. "The relationship between the two parties is based on mutual respect, mutual trust and close cooperation... We look forward to working together to create prosperity and growth, more opportunities, and everlasting friendship." Previously in September this year, Fonseca met with Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Jialong in Belize.
On the National Day, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te once again emphasized in a speech that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its national defense capabilities in the face of threats from China. "It is not for provocation, but to deter war; we strengthen self-defense not to give up on dialogue, but to ensure that dialogue can be conducted on the basis of reciprocity and dignity."
In this regard, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Chen Xi criticized Lai Qingde for "exaggerating the so-called mainland military threat" and said that the People's Liberation Army's regular military exercises around Taiwan are to "deter "Taiwan independence" rash actions" and "it is natural and justified."
On the other hand, maritime units in many places in China issued navigation warnings on the occasion of Taiwan’s Double Tenth Day. From the 12th to the 17th, various military exercises including live ammunition shooting were held in at least five sea areas, including the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Taiwan's Defense Minister Gu Lixiong said on the 12th that he had a full understanding of the situation and would continue to pay close attention to it.
