Washington Backs Partners After Beijing’s Sanctions
Washington has criticised Beijing’s sanctions against ministers from Paraguay and Belize, adding a U.S. response to the measures reported here yesterday.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the administration opposed Chinese coercion against countries exercising sovereign rights, Reuters reported today. He expressed support for partners including Taiwan.
Belize’s foreign ministry said the sanctions would not alter its foreign policy or diplomatic relationships and affirmed support for Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. The ministry’s Monday statement said Belize would consult regional and international partners while keeping the public informed on developments.
In Taipei this morning, Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said Taiwan was helping its allies respond. He described Beijing’s conduct as transnational repression, according to United Daily News.
The new development is the widening public response, not a new set of sanctions. These statements signal political support for maintaining ties; the reporting reviewed announces no additional economic countermeasures or military commitments.