Taiwanese officials have launched strong protests and are weighing more serious countermeasures after the top Brazilian envoy to Taiwan, Luís Cláudio Villafañe Gomes Santos, remarked that Taiwan is a part of China. 

Santos, the Director of the Commercial Office of Brazil to Taipei, made the statements in a media interview on Sunday, April 12, where he also noted that most other countries do not recognize Taiwan as an independent country. In the same interview, he asked if the head of the KMT also believes Taiwan is part of China, why should Brazil hold a different position?

Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) reported Thursday, April 16, that Taiwan immediately lodged a strong complaint with the Brazilian representative in Taiwan. She underscored the fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Lee added that, in addition to verbal protests, Taiwan will exchange views on responses regarding Taiwan-Brazil bilateral relations in diplomacy and trade to carefully evaluate further action.

Foreign Ministry Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Department Deputy Director General José Chih-cheng Han (韓志正) also reported his concern to Santos by phone over his false and inappropriate remarks. Han said he urged Luis to abide by his diplomatic obligation under international law, which states not to interfere with affairs in a host country.