China has imposed sanctions on ministers from Paraguay and Belize because these countries maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunified with the People's Republic by force if necessary.
Ministers from these South American countries had meetings last month with their Taiwanese counterparts. According to China, they spread disinformation and interfered in internal affairs. All assets they may have in China are frozen, they are banned from entering the country, and they are prohibited from cooperating with Chinese individuals and organizations.
The penalties imposed on them are mainly symbolic because government officials from those countries usually do not travel to China or have assets there.
Last twelve
Paraguay and Belize are among the last twelve countries and governments that recognize Taiwan as an independent state. This means, for example, that they have an embassy on the island. The countries have not yet responded to China's sanctions.
The Netherlands does not officially recognize Taiwan but cooperates intensively in the fields of economy, technology, science, agriculture, and culture. The Netherlands does not have an official embassy in Taiwan but does have an office in the capital Taipei where visa applications and consular matters are handled.
11 Countries and 1 government that recognize Taiwan
In recent years, China has increasingly increased military pressure on Taiwan by flying combat aircraft and sailing warships near the island almost daily.
China has also campaigned to bring countries that supported Taiwan into its camp. In recent years, Nauru, Honduras, and Nicaragua have shifted their loyalty from Taiwan to China.
US and arms deliveries
The US Department of State has stated that the administration of President Trump "opposes coercion and aggression by China against countries in our region that exercise their sovereign rights."
"We stand with our friends and partners, including Taiwan, to promote our shared prosperity, security, and values," said a spokesperson for the department.
Although the US does not officially recognize Taiwan, it has been an important international pillar of support for Taiwan since 1979 and regularly supplies weapons to the island so it can defend itself against China. In the first year of the Trump administration, more weapons were sold to Taiwan than during the four years under President Biden.
Negotiation tool
After a visit by Trump to China in May, there seemed to be a shift in that policy. Shortly thereafter, a planned arms delivery was suspended. Trump also called that arms package after his visit "a good negotiation tool." It was the first time an American president referred to Taiwan as a bargaining chip rather than as an ally.
Now concerns about greater Chinese influence in the South American "backyard" of the US seem to be gaining the upper hand again.
China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949. That year, the Communist Party came to power in Beijing. The defeated nationalist Kuomintang fled to Taiwan. Since then, the island has had its own government.