China sanctions Paraguay, Belize officials over Taiwan-related actions

On Monday, China announced countermeasures against Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate and Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca over Taiwan-related actions.

The measures include freezing their movable and immovable assets and other property in China, prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from conducting transactions, cooperation, or other activities with them, and denying them visas and entry into China, including Hong Kong and Macao. The measures took effect on Monday, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty and national reunification and is at the very core of China's core interests.

Certain politicians in Paraguay and Belize had acted as pawns in the Taiwan authorities' efforts to seek "independence" through external support, visiting the Taiwan region and receiving visits by "Taiwan independence" separatists, Mao said.

Mao said they seriously interfered in China's internal affairs, spread false information about Chinese cyberattacks, and attacked and smeared China, causing an adverse international impact.

China adopted the countermeasures under its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law to penalize those involved and deter similar conduct, Mao said.