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.

In recent weeks, as an attempt to goad China, President Bolsonaro’s online following has begun celebrating Taiwan and its defiance of Beijing. Many prominent pro-Bolsonaro Twitter accounts have even added Taiwanese flags to their screen names, displaying them alongside the flags of Brazil, the U.S., and often Israel — all three being common sights at public rallies in support of the far-right president.

On Wednesday, hours after being targeted by a Federal Police operation, prominent Bolsonaro-supporting blogger Allan dos Santos and Congresswoman Bia Kicis appeared in a live broadcast alongside Congressman Eduardo...