TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Tuesday the government will lodge the necessary protests after Brazil’s envoy said in an interview he agreed with Beijing that Taiwan was part of China.

Luis Claudio Villafane Gomes Santos told Up Media that Brazil did not recognize Taiwan as an independent country, as most of the world and even the opposition KMT leader did not either. He said Brazil sees China as a good friend and partner and could not understand why the West wants to reduce risk by downplaying relations with Beijing.

As to the risks to the semiconductor industry posed by Chinese military action, Santos said Brazil could not do anything about it but had to experience the situation just like other countries, Up Media reported Sunday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already voiced concerns to Santos, emphasizing a high level of dissatisfaction with his “untrue and inappropriate remarks,” per CNA. Cho said Tuesday the Cabinet will also protest the envoy’s statements.

The premier said he wants to use Santos' comments to tell the world Taiwan is not part of China, as the two countries have completely separate governments.