The Trump administration is not the only one capable of imposing sanctions on nemesis nations or on individuals with whom it disagrees. The Chinese say they can also do the same.
Beijing announced has announced sanctions against Belizean Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, accusing him and Paraguayan Communications Minister Gustavo Villate of being political and diplomatic pawns of Taiwan because both countries are among the few in Latin America which support Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and has vowed to eventually retake it.
“Certain politicians in Paraguay and Belize have willingly served as pawns of the Taiwan authorities in their attempts to seek Taiwan independence by soliciting external forces,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters as the sanctions were announced.
The sanctions on the two are linked to a freeze of any assets of the ministers in China, Hong Kong, and Macau, restrictions on Chinese firms and individuals conducting business with them, and travel bans to cities and provinces controlled by China. The sanctions kicked in on Oct. 12, Beijing stated.
Reacting to this development, the Belizean government backed its minister, saying the country is a sovereign nation which dictates its own national policies.
“These measures will not alter Belize’s foreign policy, nor will they deter the government from carrying out its responsibilities," the government said in a statement. "The government of Belize continues to stand fully behind Minister Fonseca. Belize is a sovereign and independent state. The principles of sovereign equality and non-intervention in the affairs of other states are the foundation of the international order on which small states depend for their security and development. The principles of sovereign equality and non-intervention in the affairs of other states are the foundation of the international order on which small states depend for their security and development.”
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nation also moved to remind China of actual development projects involving Taiwan, noting that the “partnership has delivered cooperation in development, health, education, infrastructure, the environment, and agriculture for the benefit of the Belizean people. Measures directed at an individual for carrying out the lawful duties of his office are unwarranted, and we reject them,” the government noted.
Belize, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, and Haiti are the only regional member states with diplomatic relations with Taiwan.