Why has Taiwan become a Brazilian far-right symbol?

Jair Bolsonaro and his acolytes have a history of sparring with China. Setting himself apart from all predecessors — including the generals who ruled the country during the 1964-1985 military dictatorship — the current Brazilian president has treated Chinese investments as a threat to national security and economic sovereignty.

In his first year in office, Mr. Bolsonaro adopted a pragmatic approach toward Beijing, but the coronavirus pandemic has erased all of this tentative rapprochement. Now, the Brazilian far-right is doubling down on its Sinophobic discourse, a process which has led to an odd show of solidarity with the island state of Taiwan — a hot-button issue for the Chinese government.