China sanctions Belize foreign minister over Taiwan ties
Belize says the measures against Francis Fonseca will not change its foreign policy, and that it stands fully behind its minister.
BELMOPAN, Belize. China has announced sanctions against Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, accusing him and Paraguay's Communications Minister Gustavo Villate of acting as political and diplomatic pawns of Taiwan.
Both countries are among the few in Latin America that support Taiwan. China regards the island 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," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters.
The sanctions include a freeze on any assets the ministers hold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, restrictions on Chinese firms and individuals doing business with them, and travel bans covering cities and provinces controlled by China. Beijing said the measures took effect on October 12.
Belize stands by its minister
The Belizean government backed Fonseca, saying the country is a sovereign nation that sets its own 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."
It added that 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) member also pointed to development projects carried out with Taiwan, saying the partnership had delivered cooperation in development, health, education, infrastructure, the environment and agriculture for the benefit of Belizeans.
"Measures directed at an individual for carrying out the lawful duties of his office are unwarranted, and we reject them," the government said.
Belize, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti are the only regional member states with diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
