Key facts
- China sanctioned ministers from Belize and Paraguay for maintaining ties with Taiwan.
- The US State Department opposes China's "coercion and aggression" against countries exercising sovereign rights.
- Belize and Paraguay are among the 12 countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
- Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi accused China of "transnational repression."
The Trump administration opposes "coercion and aggression" by China against countries for exercising their sovereign rights, the US State Department said on Friday. This statement followed Beijing's imposition of sanctions on ministers from Belize and Paraguay due to their countries' diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
Paraguay and Belize are among the 12 nations globally that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a province with no right to statehood, a claim strongly rejected by Taipei. The sanctions are largely symbolic, as ministers from Taiwan's allies typically do not travel to China. Beijing has previously targeted Western politicians for supporting Taiwan.