Taiwan restricts Belarus exports over Ukraine war

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Taiwan on Friday imposed curbs on exports to Belarus, accusing it of “active participation in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said companies will not to be allowed to export “strategic high-tech goods” to Belarus without “special permission.”

Taipei also imposed similar restrictions on Moscow last month.

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has already been targeted with sanctions by the US, UK, EU and Japan over the war in Ukraine.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, however, has denied involvement in what Moscow calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

A separate statement from Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned Belarus for “assisting Moscow’s invasion by allowing Russian troops to conduct military exercises on its territory near the border with Ukraine before the invasion was launched on Feb. 24,” local news outlet Focus Taiwan reported.

Taipei has been vocal in its support for Ukraine, particularly as observers believe Russia’s actions could be replicated by China if it ever tries to bring Taiwan, which it calls a “breakaway province,” under Chinese control.

Taipei, however, has insisted on its independence since 1949 and maintains diplomatic relations with at least 14 countries.

- ‘Airspace’ violations

At least 18 Chinese military jets entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Friday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said.

The aircraft were given radio warnings and air defense missile systems were deployed to monitor their activities, read a ministry statement.

The ADIZ is a buffer zone outside a country’s airspace, where it has the right to ask incoming aircraft to identify themselves.