Taiwan Orders Deportation of Pro-Beijing Influencer Amid Rising Tensions

Taiwan has revoked the visa of influencer Liu, effectively ordering her to leave the island for promoting pro-Beijing ideologies. The move reflects escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, as authorities tighten control over perceived foreign influence on Taiwanese society.

Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) has mandated that Chinese influencer Liu, also known as Yaya, must vacate the island within days or face deportation. This decision comes in the wake of her controversial social media posts that advocate for Beijing's stance on Taiwan's sovereignty. Liu's videos, which often feature her young daughter, consistently refer to Taiwan as "Taiwan province" and support the Chinese government’s assertion that the island is an integral part of China.

The NIA stated that Liu’s actions "advocate the elimination of Taiwan's sovereignty" and are "not tolerated in Taiwanese society," underscoring the growing concern over Chinese influence amid rising cross-strait tensions. Liu, originally from mainland China, moved to Taiwan on a dependent visa after marrying a Taiwanese citizen. As reported, she has until March 24 to leave the island and will be barred from reapplying for a new dependent visa for five years.

The case highlights the rarity of deportations involving the spouses of Taiwanese citizens. Liu has a significant following of 480,000 on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, where she promotes her pro-Beijing viewpoints. Her assertions that "the complete unification of the motherland is a necessity" have sparked significant backlash from Taiwanese officials, including Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang, who remarked that freedom of speech does not justify calls for an invasion.

In response to Liu's controversial remarks and the broader issue of Chinese influence, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has outlined measures to strengthen control over cross-strait communications, which he asserts are exploited by China to deepen divisions within Taiwan. The situation continues to unfold against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of the approximately 360,000 Mainland Chinese spouses living in Taiwan.