Brazil Rep to Taiwan Claims One China; MOFA Warns Against Outsiders Exploiting Vulnerabilities
Taiwan's MOFA strongly protested a statement by Brazil's representative claiming 'Taiwan is part of China,' and is exploring economic countermeasures, including shifting soybean imports.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 14:26
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 14:31 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 06:37 (88h 5m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Yang Yao-ru, Taipei, 15th) Brazil's representative to Taiwan, Luís Cláudio Villafañe Gomes Santos, claimed that "Taiwan is part of China." Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi stated today that the government will continue to express strong protests and will bring this issue to the Executive Yuan's Economic and Diplomatic Task Force for inter-ministerial discussion. He added that domestic political leaders should have a clear understanding of the Republic of China and not let outsiders think they can exploit the situation.
In an exclusive interview with Up Media, Luís Cláudio Villafañe Gomes Santos stated that Taiwan is part of China and that most countries do not recognize Taiwan as an independent country. He noted that the Kuomintang (KMT) chairman also holds this view, questioning why Brazil should have a different opinion when there is no clear consensus within Taiwan itself.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Chu-yin expressed concern during an interpellation at the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee this morning regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MOFA) response to the Brazilian representative's remarks.
Chen Ming-chi responded that the Brazilian representative is currently on leave. MOFA expressed strong protest and concern immediately and arranged a face-to-face meeting. There will be subsequent actions, but considerations for bilateral relations and diplomatic etiquette must be balanced.
Chen emphasized that domestic political leaders must have a very clear understanding of the existence of the Republic of China, and should not give outsiders the impression that there is a loophole to exploit, especially since China uses this opportunity to heavily promote its narrative, which makes this regrettable situation understandable. He hopes the public clearly recognizes the fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.
Lin Chu-yin pressed on what countermeasures would be taken, highlighting that Brazil is Taiwan's second-largest source of soybean imports and emphasizing that the economy is the key tool.
Chen responded that this will be studied. Diversification in areas such as food and energy is crucial. Allied nation Paraguay has expressed a desire for more soybean cooperation with Taiwan, and MOFA is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture. MOFA will strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation, bring this issue to the Executive Yuan's Economic and Diplomatic Task Force for deliberation, and simultaneously continue to protest.
DPP Legislator Puma Shen also raised concerns about the controversy over South Korea's electronic arrival card, which incorrectly listed the nationality field as CHINA (TAIWAN), and MOFA's negotiation process.
Chen explained that MOFA negotiates on pragmatic principles. South Korea faces immense pressure from China. "We know in our hearts what is happening, and we are giving the South Korean side space and time to adjust." He welcomed South Korea's pragmatic approach to "facilitate travelers," calling it positive. MOFA is reviewing its relations with South Korea on a rolling basis, especially given that Taiwan and South Korea face similar security scenarios and have close civilian exchanges.
Regarding the Chinese Foreign Ministry's reiteration that the "One China" principle is an international consensus, Chen stated in a joint interview before the meeting that the non-subordination of the two sides of the strait is recognized by major countries around the world. Packaging their own claims as a consensus is "truly ridiculous."
Regarding Denmark incorrectly listing the nationality and birthplace of Taiwanese citizens' residence permits as China, European Affairs Director-General Huang Jun-yao mentioned during the interpellation that some courtesies for the Danish representative to Taiwan have been canceled, and both sides are still communicating. Danish parliamentarians and Danish media have clearly expressed their support for Taiwan.
The Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee invited MOFA and the Ministry of Economic Affairs today to report on the "Impact of the Development of the US-Iran War Situation on the Asia-Pacific Strategic Situation and Economic Security," with the National Development Council in attendance for interpellations. (Editor: Zhang Ruo-yao) 1150415
(CNA Reporter Yang Yao-ru, Taipei, 15th) Brazil's representative to Taiwan, Luís Cláudio Villafañe Gomes Santos, claimed that "Taiwan is part of China." Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi stated today that the government will continue to express strong protests and will bring this issue to the Executive Yuan's Economic and Diplomatic Task Force for inter-ministerial discussion. He added that domestic political leaders should have a clear understanding of the Republic of China and not let outsiders think they can exploit the situation.
In an exclusive interview with Up Media, Luís Cláudio Villafañe Gomes Santos stated that Taiwan is part of China and that most countries do not recognize Taiwan as an independent country. He noted that the Kuomintang (KMT) chairman also holds this view, questioning why Brazil should have a different opinion when there is no clear consensus within Taiwan itself.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Chu-yin expressed concern during an interpellation at the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee this morning regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MOFA) response to the Brazilian representative's remarks.
Chen Ming-chi responded that the Brazilian representative is currently on leave. MOFA expressed strong protest and concern immediately and arranged a face-to-face meeting. There will be subsequent actions, but considerations for bilateral relations and diplomatic etiquette must be balanced.
Chen emphasized that domestic political leaders must have a very clear understanding of the existence of the Republic of China, and should not give outsiders the impression that there is a loophole to exploit, especially since China uses this opportunity to heavily promote its narrative, which makes this regrettable situation understandable. He hopes the public clearly recognizes the fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other.
Lin Chu-yin pressed on what countermeasures would be taken, highlighting that Brazil is Taiwan's second-largest source of soybean imports and emphasizing that the economy is the key tool.
Chen responded that this will be studied. Diversification in areas such as food and energy is crucial. Allied nation Paraguay has expressed a desire for more soybean cooperation with Taiwan, and MOFA is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture. MOFA will strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation, bring this issue to the Executive Yuan's Economic and Diplomatic Task Force for deliberation, and simultaneously continue to protest.
DPP Legislator Puma Shen also raised concerns about the controversy over South Korea's electronic arrival card, which incorrectly listed the nationality field as CHINA (TAIWAN), and MOFA's negotiation process.
Chen explained that MOFA negotiates on pragmatic principles. South Korea faces immense pressure from China. "We know in our hearts what is happening, and we are giving the South Korean side space and time to adjust." He welcomed South Korea's pragmatic approach to "facilitate travelers," calling it positive. MOFA is reviewing its relations with South Korea on a rolling basis, especially given that Taiwan and South Korea face similar security scenarios and have close civilian exchanges.
Regarding the Chinese Foreign Ministry's reiteration that the "One China" principle is an international consensus, Chen stated in a joint interview before the meeting that the non-subordination of the two sides of the strait is recognized by major countries around the world. Packaging their own claims as a consensus is "truly ridiculous."
Regarding Denmark incorrectly listing the nationality and birthplace of Taiwanese citizens' residence permits as China, European Affairs Director-General Huang Jun-yao mentioned during the interpellation that some courtesies for the Danish representative to Taiwan have been canceled, and both sides are still communicating. Danish parliamentarians and Danish media have clearly expressed their support for Taiwan.
The Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee invited MOFA and the Ministry of Economic Affairs today to report on the "Impact of the Development of the US-Iran War Situation on the Asia-Pacific Strategic Situation and Economic Security," with the National Development Council in attendance for interpellations. (Editor: Zhang Ruo-yao) 1150415