China has imposed sanctions on Paraguay's communications minister and Belize's foreign minister, citing their countries' ties with Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued the notice on Monday, stating the measures were aimed at protecting national sovereignty and opposing Taiwan separatist activities, and said they took effect the same day.
The measures targeting Paraguay's communications minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize's foreign minister, Francis Fonseca include freezing their assets in China and refusing them entry visas for Hong Kong and Macau.
The sanctions also bar Chinese organizations and individuals from transacting, cooperating or carrying out other activities with the two ministers.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said "some anti-China politicians" driven by "self-serving motives" had pushed their countries to maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Beijing said the two ministers had "committed a series of serious actions and statements" that "harm China's core interests".
Paraguay and Belize are among the 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan its own territory, a position the island's government strongly rejects.
The measures were announced two days after Taiwan's national day. In a speech marking the occasion outside the Presidential Office on Saturday, Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te said the island "cherishes peace" and will "not give up our freedom".
China's Taiwan Affairs Office condemned Lai's speech, saying it "ignores the facts, distorts the truth, deceives the public and reveals hidden motives".
In January, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to achieve the "unification" of China and Taiwan, calling the goal "unstoppable".
Diplomatic relations
Paraguayan Communications Minister Villate marked Taiwan's national day with a social media post saying: "Paraguay reaffirms its friendship and cooperation, based on shared values and principles: the self-determination of peoples, human rights and democracy."
Belize's embassy in Taiwan also posted a message on Facebook congratulating the two sides on 37 years of diplomatic relations.
"Together, we move towards a future of development, opportunity and lasting friendship," the embassy wrote.
Last month, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung visited Belize. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said the two sides agreed to deepen relations.
Taiwan's other allies in the Americas include Guatemala and Haiti. Taiwan also has formal diplomatic relations with three Caribbean island nations.
The United States has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but Washington is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
Earlier this month, the United States delivered two fighter jets to Taiwan as the island seeks to build up its defence capabilities to deter a perceived threat from China.
