April 17, 2023
The Republic of China (Taiwan) is an independent sovereign country. Neither the R.O.C. (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China is subordinate to the other. The PRC has never governed Taiwan—not even for a single day. This is both reality and the status quo. The R.O.C. (Taiwan) government refuses to accept and solemnly condemns the so-called “one China principle” cited in the joint statement issued by the government of Brazil and the Beijing authorities. The joint statement unilaterally claims that the PRC possesses territorial sovereignty over areas beyond its jurisdiction, including Taiwan.
Taiwan recognizes and is pleased by the fact that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underscored the importance of peace and ending the military conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, the Brazilian government’s deference to China’s so-called “one China principle” runs counter to its emphasis on peace, contributing nothing to maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait or advancing regional and global peace. In fact, Brazil has become an accomplice in contributing to rising tensions in the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms that Taiwan will not submit to pressure or diplomatic suppression by the Chinese authoritarian government. Instead, it will staunchly uphold the values of freedom and democracy and actively work with diplomatic allies and like-minded nations to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.