Paraguay and Belize reject China sanctions over Taiwan ties

Paraguay and Belize on Monday condemned sanctions imposed by Beijing on two of their ministers over their countries' ties with Taiwan, calling the measures unwarranted and a source of unnecessary tension. Both governments reaffirmed their support for Taiwan and said the sanctions would not alter the

Paraguay and Belize on Monday condemned sanctions imposed by Beijing on two of their ministers over their countries' ties with Taiwan, saying the measures create unnecessary tensions. China announced sanctions against Paraguayan Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate and Belizean Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca earlier on Monday.

The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it rejected the sanctions, writing on X that they created unnecessary friction. It added that it reaffirmed its support for Taiwan and its commitment to democratic values and principles.

Villate told the Spanish-language Paraguayan daily ABC Color the sanctions were "predictable" and linked them to several cooperation projects between Taiwan and Paraguay. These include a planned data centre in Nueva Asuncion incorporating security standards to prevent foreign interference in the companies involved, he said. He also said that Hon Hai Precision Industry Co had been invited to establish operations in Paraguay and participate in the "Yguazu Digital" project, an artificial intelligence-focused technology hub.

The Belizean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the sanctions would not alter Belize's foreign policy and that the government could continue to stand behind Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. "Measures directed at an individual for carrying out the lawful duties of his office are unwarranted, and we reject them," it said, adding that under the UN Charter, "every state has the right to conduct its foreign policy free from external pressure."

Belize's relationship with Taiwan "was established by a sovereign decision of our country," and the partnership has delivered benefits in development, healthcare, education, infrastructure, the environment and agriculture, the statement said. Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it rejected the sanctions, writing on X that they created unnecessary friction, and reaffirmed its support for Taiwan and its commitment to democratic values.

Paraguayan Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate told the Spanish-language daily ABC Color the sanctions were "predictable" and linked them to several cooperation projects between Taiwan and Paraguay, including a planned data centre in Nueva Asuncion and the "Yguazu Digital" artificial intelligence-focused technology hub. He said Hon Hai Precision Industry Co had been invited to establish operations in Paraguay and participate in the project.

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the sanctions as an attempt to interfere in other countries' internal affairs and pressure them over their foreign policies. The ministry reiterated that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country, and that it and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.