US says it opposes Chinese ‘coercion’, after Belize, Paraguay ministers sanctioned

The U.S. State Department has expressed opposition to China's "coercion" and aggression towards countries exercising their sovereign rights, specifically in response to Beijing's sanctions on Belizean and Paraguayan ministers due to their ties with Taiwan. Taiwan is one of only 12 nations maintaining formal diplomatic relations with the island, a stance Beijing vehemently rejects, asserting Taiwan is merely a Chinese province with no statehood rights.

The sanctions, while largely symbolic considering diplomatic allies of Taiwan typically do not travel to China, come after Beijing had previously imposed similar measures on Western politicians supporting democratically governed Taiwan. U.S. spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized the administration's commitment to standing with friends and partners, including Taiwan, to foster shared prosperity, security, and values.

The Chinese foreign ministry accused the U.S. of sending the wrong signals to Taiwan separatists, urging it to cease such signals. Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi noted China's expanding transnational repression tactics targeting Taiwan's allies, highlighting Taiwan's growing international visibility. Premier Cho Jung-tai criticized China's interference in the internal affairs and diplomacy of sovereign states, asserting the Republic of China's right to exist.

China has intensified pressure on Taiwan's diplomatic allies to sever their connections with Taipei, with Nauru being the most recent to do so in 2024, following Honduras' withdrawal of ties with Taiwan in 2023.