China's Foreign Ministry announced sanctions on Monday against one minister each from Taiwan's diplomatic allies Paraguay and Belize under its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry condemned the move strongly, while Beijing said the two had served as pawns for 'Taiwan independence' forces.
According to the United Daily News and the China Times, China's Foreign Ministry on Oct. 12 named Gustavo Villate, Paraguay's minister of information and communication technology, and Francis Fonseca, Belize's minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade. Taiwanese media reported it was the first time Beijing had directly sanctioned officials of a Taiwan ally. The measures freeze the two men's assets in China, bar Chinese organizations and individuals from dealing with them, and deny visas and entry to the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.
광고 문의 · 300×250Beijing's stated reasons were reported by Taiwanese outlets quoting Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. She said the two had visited Taiwan, hosted 'Taiwan independence' figures and spread false claims about Chinese cyberattacks, which she described as acting as pawns of Taiwan's authorities and interfering in China's internal affairs. She urged Taiwan's remaining allies not to be repeatedly used by such forces.
Taipei's rebuttal
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemned and rejected the announcement, calling it absurd, an interference in other countries' sovereignty and foreign policy, and a form of 'transnational repression'. It added that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country not subordinate to the People's Republic of China and that Beijing has no say in its diplomatic ties.
The ministry said cooperation with both countries rests on equality, mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty, and will continue under its comprehensive diplomacy and 'Bonds of Prosperity' frameworks. The United Daily News reported that Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung was abroad, so details had not yet been discussed; the ministry views the step as Beijing extending its political will beyond its borders.
Who the two ministers are
Per the United Daily News, Villate has more than 20 years in private-sector technology and joined President Santiago Pena's cabinet in August 2023. He called the AI computing center memorandum signed during Pena's May visit to Taiwan a source of pride, and on Oct. 10 he posted on X congratulating Taiwan on its National Day, citing shared values of self-determination, human rights and democracy, as AFP reported.
Fonseca has served in Prime Minister Briceno's cabinet since November 2020 and has held the foreign affairs and trade portfolio since January 2024. He attended President Lai Ching-te's 2024 inauguration and, at a joint press conference with Lin that October, called Taiwan a valuable partner. Lin visited Belize again in late September, when the sides signed a diplomatic training agreement and a joint communique.
A third perspective: international relations scholars say the sanctions may be more symbolic than practical, since the two ministers are unlikely to hold much in China. A National Chengchi University researcher told the United Daily News that Belize's ties with Taiwan are stable, but Paraguay's substantial trade with China means an effect on Taipei-Asuncion relations cannot be ruled out. Reactions from the United States and other third countries had not been confirmed. With each side calling the other's action interference, Paraguay's formal position is likely to be the key variable.
