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Paraguay Defends Taiwan Ties, Pushes Back on Chinese Sanctions

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Paraguay has defended its sovereignty and diplomatic alliance with Taiwan. This comes after China sanctioned Paraguay's communications minister, Gustavo Villate, earlier this week for what Beijing called anti-China activities. Paraguay's Deputy Communications Minister Enrique Biedermann shot back at Beijing on Tuesday, saying his nation would maintain ties with Taiwan and work with countries that respect Paraguay's freedom and sovereignty. Beijing's recent sanctions also included Belizean Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. Paraguay and Belize are among Taiwan’s twelve official diplomatic allies. Analysts described the measures as largely symbolic attempts at intimidation. Taiwan and the US have both criticized the sanctions.

Paraguay Defends Ties with Taiwan

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REPORTER:  
Paraguay has shot back after China sanctioned one of its government officials for supporting Taiwan.

Enrique Biedermann (PARAGUAYAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION):  
As a government, we will always defend our country’s sovereignty.  
Paraguay is a free and sovereign country, and that is the message we will convey to the world.  
We will maintain our alliance with Taiwan and with any country that wishes to work with us, always respecting our freedom and sovereignty.

China imposed sanctions on Paraguayan Information Minister Gustavo Villate earlier this week, calling him an anti-China politician. It also sanctioned Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. Paraguay and Belize are among Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies. Analysts say the sanctions are mostly symbolic attempts at intimidation, and they’ve been criticized by both Taiwan and the US.
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Paraguay Condemns Chinese Sanctions  

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REPORTER:  
The Paraguayan government has again condemned the latest round of Chinese sanctions over the country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Enrique Biedermann (PARAGUAYAN DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATION):  
As a government, we will always defend our country’s sovereignty.  
Paraguay is a free and sovereign country, and that is the message we will convey to the world.  
We will maintain our alliance with Taiwan and with any country that wishes to work with us, always respecting our freedom and sovereignty.

China’s foreign ministry imposed sanctions on Paraguayan Information Minister Gustavo Villate, calling him an anti-China politician. It also sanctioned Belizean Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. Paraguay and Belize are among Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies. Experts say the largely symbolic measures amount to political intimidation and transnational repression. Taiwan and the US have also criticized the sanctions.
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