China sanctions Paraguay’s communications minister and Belize’s foreign minister over Taiwan ties, freezing assets and banning dealings with Chinese entities

China imposed sanctions on Paraguay’s communications minister, Gustavo Villate, and Belize’s foreign minister, Francis Fonseca, on October 12, citing the two countries’ diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

The measures freeze the ministers’ assets in China, prohibit Chinese organizations and individuals from transactions or cooperation with them, and bar them from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau. Beijing said the action was intended to protect China’s sovereignty, security and development interests and oppose what it called separatist activity seeking “Taiwan independence.”

Reuters reported that the sanctions are largely symbolic, as ministers from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies generally do not travel to China.

Paraguay and Belize are among the 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan part of China; Taiwan’s government rejects that claim.