China sanctions Belize and Paraguay ministers over Taiwan ties, freezing any China-based assets and barring them from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau

China imposed sanctions on Belizean Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca and Paraguayan Communications Minister Gustavo Villate on October 12, citing their countries’ continued diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Beijing accused the officials of pursuing “anti-China” policies that it said undermine China’s sovereignty and security and oppose its position on Taiwan independence.

The measures freeze any assets the ministers hold in China, prohibit Chinese organizations and individuals from conducting transactions or cooperating with them, and deny them entry to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

The restrictions are largely symbolic: officials from countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan rarely travel to China.

Belize and Paraguay are among the 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.