US Condemns China’s “Coercion” After Belize Minister Sanctioned

The United States says it opposes Chinese “coercion and aggression” against countries exercising their sovereign rights after Beijing sanctioned Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca and a Paraguayan minister over their countries’ ties to Taiwan.

“The Trump administration opposes coercion and aggression by China against countries in our hemisphere for exercising their sovereign rights,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Pigott cited earlier comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the US “will not allow our region to become a base of operation for adversaries, competitors, and rivals to threaten our security or undermine our partnerships.”

“We stand with our friends and partners, including Taiwan, to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values,” Pigott added.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the US should “stop sending the wrong signals to Taiwan separatist forces.”

Fonseca: Belize ‘Proud to Stand With Taiwan’ After China Sanctions

Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it took note of China’s October 12 announcement of “unilateral measures” against Fonseca, who is Minister of Foreign Affairs. The ministry rejected the measures and said they will not change Belize’s foreign policy. “Measures directed at an individual for carrying out the lawful duties of his office are unwarranted, and we reject them.”

“These measures will not alter Belize’s foreign policy, nor will they deter the government from carrying out its responsibilities. The Government of Belize continues to stand fully behind Minister Fonseca.”

The ministry said Fonseca acted at all times in his official capacity, on the instructions of the government and in the national interest of Belize. It called on all states “to refrain from unilateral coercive measures against officials of other states.”

Fonseca earlier said he had received no formal notification of the action. “Belize is proud to stand with Taiwan in support of the principles of self-determination and international law.”

Belize and Paraguay are two of 12 countries with formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan. China says Taiwan is one of its provinces with no right to behave like a state, a view Taipei strongly rejects. The US is Taiwan’s most important international backer, despite having no formal diplomatic ties.

Reuters noted the sanctions are largely symbolic because ministers from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies generally do not travel to China. In Taipei, Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said China was extending “transnational repression” to Taiwan’s allies.

“Do they plan to sanction the whole world?” Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai said Beijing had no right to interfere in the domestic affairs or diplomacy of any sovereign and independent state, “including the Republic of China”, referring to the island’s formal name.

“At the same time, we will resist any expansion of hegemony or authoritarianism.”