There is no future for being tied to the "Taiwan independence" forces

On October 12, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China announced that it would take countermeasures against Billiat, the then Minister of Communications and Technology of Paraguay, and Fonseca, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology of Belize, including freezing their various properties in China, prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from trading and cooperating with them, and denying them entry into mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This is the first time that the Chinese government has punished a ministerial official from a so-called "diplomatic country" by the Taiwan authorities. How to objectively and comprehensively understand the signal sent by China's move?

First of all, it makes it clear to the other side of the Taiwan Strait that the mainland firmly grasps the initiative to fight against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Solving the Taiwan issue and realizing the complete reunification of the motherland is the common aspiration of all Chinese people. Every Chinese person unconditionally supports any actions taken by the Chinese government to crack down on "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and counter foreign interference in the Taiwan issue. In September, then-President Pena Nieto of Paraguay stated in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly that Paraguay "does not remain neutral" on the Taiwan issue and publicly advocated for Taiwan's "participation" in the United Nations. Belize Prime Minister Briceño also made similar remarks. At the end of September and the beginning of October, the head of Taiwan’s foreign affairs department visited Belize and Guatemala. Whether it is inciting political figures from so-called "diplomatic countries" to make claims or "visits" to relevant countries, the essence is nothing more than a ploy by the Taiwan authorities to expand the so-called "international presence" and brag about "diplomatic achievements" on the island. It cannot change the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, nor can it change the historical trend that China will eventually be reunified and will be reunified. On October 10, Lai Ching-te’s “Double Ten” speech continued the “Taiwan independence” narrative. China announced countermeasures on October 12, which are obviously a tit-for-tat attack on the arrogance of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and curb the Taiwan authorities' momentum of "relying on foreign countries to seek independence." Some experts pointed out that China still has a lot of cards in its hand. When to play and what cards to play are the sharp swords that are always hanging over the heads of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and the foreign forces pursuing "Taiwan independence".

Second, warn Taiwan's so-called "diplomatic countries": China's bottom line and red line must not be touched.

There is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legal government representing all of China. This is the one-China principle recognized by 183 countries around the world. A series of international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan's Instrument of Surrender, and UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 have firmly locked in Taiwan's status. Taiwan has never been a "country". The official legal opinion of the United Nations confirms that Taiwan is a province of China. The one-China principle is the basic norm of international relations and the general consensus of the international community. The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair and does not tolerate any external interference. Twelve countries, including Paraguay and Belize, have maintained so-called "diplomatic relations" with a province in China, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, violating China's sovereignty, and undoubtedly violating China's constitution and laws, as well as international law. China has punished those who stubbornly support the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in accordance with the law, and once again made it clear to the international community that the Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, and the one-China principle is a red line that China cannot touch.

Third, deter pro-Taiwan politicians: Do not underestimate China’s determination and will to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Latin America and the Caribbean is the region with the highest concentration of Taiwan's so-called "diplomatic countries", including Paraguay, Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For the first time, China has implemented countermeasures against a political figure from a so-called "diplomatic country" with Taiwan, which is of bellwether significance.

China has made it clear that its countermeasures are to serve as a warning and that China will take all necessary disciplinary measures against those who stubbornly support the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. This sends a clear and unambiguous signal that those politicians who stubbornly insist on pro-Taiwan stance and do not accept the one-China principle, regardless of whether they hold important positions or not, must carefully consider the cost of harming China's core interests.

Fourth, I would like to advise Paraguay and Belize: there will be no future if they are tied to the "Taiwan independence" forces.

China has never established diplomatic relations with Paraguay, but in recent years China has firmly become Paraguay's largest source of imports. According to Pakistani statistics, Pakistan’s imports from mainland China in 2025 were US$6.123 billion, accounting for 34.55% of Pakistan’s total imports. In comparison, Pakistan’s imports from Taiwan are only US$64 million, a gap of nearly 100 times, which cannot be compared. Products from mainland China have obvious advantages in the Pakistani consumer electronics and some industrial consumer goods markets.

China and Belize had brief diplomatic relations for more than two years. In 1987, when the United Democratic Party of Belize was in power, China and Belize established diplomatic relations. In 1989, after the People's United Party came to power, Botai "established diplomatic relations" and China and Botai severed diplomatic relations. In 2025, the annual bilateral trade volume between mainland China and Belize will reach more than 200 million U.S. dollars, while the volume between Belize and Taiwan is only about 8 million U.S. dollars. The country imports a large number of mechanical and electrical, chemical, vehicle spare parts and other products from mainland China.

Over the years, although the Taiwan authorities have used "gold-dollar diplomacy" to win over political figures in Burma and Pakistan, many people in Burma and Pakistan still support the restoration or establishment of diplomatic relations with China, especially people of insight who have been to mainland China or have cooperated with China. They value China's influence as the world's second largest economy and clearly see that maintaining relations with Taiwan has no future.

The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised the Taiwan authorities' remaining so-called "diplomatic countries" not to be repeatedly manipulated and exploited by "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. Being tied to the "Taiwan independence" forces has no future. It will only miss development opportunities and isolate itself from the international community. The wheel of the times is rolling forward, and history will eventually make a fair judgment. We sincerely hope that the politicians of the relevant countries will repent, change their ways, and make correct decisions that truly serve the interests of the country and the people as soon as possible.

(The author is Lu Daxin, an international issues observer)

"People's Daily" (November 13, 2026, Page 15)