Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his wife, Janja Lula da Silva, recently led a delegation of several Brazilian ministers and members of parliament on a visit to China, during which the two countries signed as many as 36 agreements.
According to reports from Radio France International and Brazilian media Folha de São Paulo, during an official banquet in Beijing, Janja directly pointed out – while speaking in front of Xi Jinping – that the Chinese short video platform TikTok may have harmful effects on women and children.
After the news was leaked, Lula explained, at a press meeting, that he had asked “Comrade Xi Jinping” whether he could send a trusted representative to Brazil so the two sides could discuss digital issues, “especially TikTok.” Janja then requested to speak and explained what was happening in Brazil, particularly regarding concerns related to women and children. Xi Jinping responded that Brazil has the right to regulate its own social media platforms. Lula emphasized that Brazil “cannot allow social media to keep committing absurdities without us having the ability to regulate them.”
Janja’s remarks reportedly displeased the Chinese side. A Chinese minister is believed to have expressed dissatisfaction immediately after her comments.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), May 18, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202505180178.aspx