TAIPEI, Reuters – Taiwan’s government imposed restrictions on technology exports to Belarus Friday. It claimed that Minsk was involved directly in Russia’s invasion Ukraine.

Taiwanese businesses are prohibited from selling a wide range of tech products in Russia, as the restrictions were also applied to Russia last month.

Given Taiwan’s low levels of trade with Russia and Belarus, the move is mostly symbolic.

The public sympathies in Taiwan for Ukraine have been broadened by what they see as parallels between the events in Ukraine and China’s plans to take the island under Chinese rule.

This list also includes equipment used in the production of semiconductors. Taiwan is an international leader in this industry, along with lasers and navigation system. This list is intended to stop technology being used for military purposes.

The Taiwanese Economy Ministry stated that the decision was taken “in consideration of Belarus’ active involvement in Russia’s invasion Ukraine”, an accusation Belarus denies.

Belarus is an ally of Russia. It invaded Ukraine in February, shortly after conducting joint drills alongside Minsk.

However, Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader, stated in March that Belarusian armed force would not participate in Russia’s “special military operations” in Ukraine.

China has dismissed any comparisons with Taiwan, saying it is not a country and merely a Chinese province, a view the democratically-elected government in Taipei strongly disputes.

In a separate announcement, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry stated that sanctions had been announced by the United States of America, Britain, Europe, and Japan on Belarus.