WorldPosted at: Oct 12 2026 8:30PM


China sanctions Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan-related actions

Beijing, Oct 12 (UNI) China on Monday imposed sanctions on Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate and Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca over their alleged involvement in Taiwan-related activities, including asset freezes and a ban on travel to China.
According to China's Foreign Ministry, the countermeasures took effect on Monday and include freezing the officials' movable and immovable assets and other property in China, prohibiting Chinese organisations and individuals from conducting transactions or cooperating with them, and denying them visas and entry into mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the measures were imposed under China's Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law in response to actions Beijing considers interference in its internal affairs.
"The Taiwan question is a major issue of principle bearing on China's sovereignty and national reunification. It is at the core of China's core interests," Mao said at a news briefing.
She accused politicians in Paraguay and Belize of supporting Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in its pursuit of independence and seeking external backing for the island.
"Certain politicians in Paraguay and Belize willingly serve as chess pieces for the DPP authorities in their pursuit of independence by soliciting external support," she said.
Mao said their visits to Taiwan and their reception of what Beijing calls "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in their countries amounted to "severe interference in China's internal affairs".
She also accused the officials of spreading disinformation about alleged Chinese cyberattacks and of attacking and smearing China, saying their actions had caused a damaging international impact.
"In response to these moves and in accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China, China announced ... countermeasures as an action of warning and deterrence," Mao said.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes official engagement between the island and countries with which Beijing maintains diplomatic relations.
The sanctions mark Beijing's latest move to pressure foreign officials over dealings with Taiwan.
UNI AAB
Tags: #China sanctions Paraguay# Belize ministers over Taiwan-related actions
More News

China sanctions Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan-related actions

12 Oct 2026 | 8:30 PM

Beijing, Oct 12 (UNI) China on Monday imposed sanctions on Paraguay's Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Gustavo Villate and Belize's Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca over their alleged involvement in Taiwan-related activities, including asset freezes and a ban on travel to China.

see more..

Iran warns US-linked tech assets worth $2 trillion could be targeted if war resumes

12 Oct 2026 | 7:55 PM

Tehran, Oct 12 (UNI) Iran has warned that US-linked technology infrastructure worth more than $2 trillion across West Asia could be targeted if Washington launches fresh military action against Tehran, while insisting that it will retain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

see more..

Riyadh airport closure extended after Houthi strikes, Trump weighs US military action

12 Oct 2026 | 7:39 PM

Riyadh, Oct 12 (UNI) Saudi Arabia extended the suspension of flights at its main international airport on Monday after fresh Houthi missile and drone attacks killed at least 14 people and injured more than 300, as US President Donald Trump considered joining the kingdom’s military campaign against the Iran-backed Yemeni group.

see more..

Saudi Arabia faces fresh missile threats as Riyadh airport closure extended

12 Oct 2026 | 7:38 PM

Riyadh, Oct 12 (UNI) Saudi Arabia said on Monday that the forces remain alert to track down potential drone and cruise missile threats targeting the kingdom, after its air defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Houthi militia.

see more..

Zelenskyy vows retaliation if Russia continues energy strikes, ceasefire row deepens with Trump

12 Oct 2026 | 7:28 PM

Kyiv, Oct 12 (UNI) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday threatened retaliation against Russia if it continues attacking Ukraine’s power infrastructure, as fresh strikes triggered electricity outages and deepened a dispute with US President Donald Trump over an energy ceasefire that Kyiv says it never agreed to.

see more..