China Sanctions Paraguay, Belize Ministers Over Taiwan Ties — SkimNews
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- China's Foreign Ministry announced sanctions effective Monday against Paraguay's communications minister and Belize's foreign minister, citing their countries' diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.
- The sanctions include entry visa bans to Hong Kong and Macau and a prohibition on Chinese organizations and individuals conducting transactions, cooperation, or other activities with the named officials.
- Beijing justified the measures on grounds of national sovereignty and security, accusing some Belizean and Paraguayan politicians of being "anti-China" for pushing to sustain ties with Taipei.
- Taiwan is claimed by China as its territory — an assertion the democratically elected government in Taipei "strongly rejects," per the report.
- Paraguay and Belize are among a shrinking group of nations still maintaining formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan rather than switching recognition to Beijing.
Why it matters: Beijing is personally targeting cabinet-level officials from two of Taipei's remaining diplomatic partners with visa bans and transaction blacklisting, raising the personal cost for politicians in those countries who advocate maintaining Taiwan ties — a pressure tactic aimed at eroding Taipei's already small diplomatic footprint.
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