Taiwan Orders Deportation of Pro-Beijing Influencer Amid Rising Tensions

In a significant move reflecting increasing concerns over Chinese influence, Taiwan has revoked the visa of a Chinese social media influencer who has publicly supported Beijing's stance on the island.

Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) has mandated that the influencer, known by her surname Liu and more popularly as "Yaya" on social media, must leave the island within days or face deportation. Liu has been vocal in her pro-Beijing sentiments, particularly through videos that reinforce the narrative of Taiwan as part of China, even suggesting that the reunification of the two territories might require force.

This decision comes amidst escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, as concerns grow over Chinese influence operations in Taiwan's democratic society. The NIA emphasized that Liu's comments were intolerable, as they advocated the removal of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Liu, who moved to Taiwan after marrying a Taiwanese citizen, is now under pressure to vacate by March 24, 2023, and will be barred from applying for another dependent visa for five years.

Liu has drawn attention by referring to Taiwan as "Taiwan province" in her videos while claiming that "peaceful unification is much harder than unification by force." Her remarks have led to backlash from Taiwan’s leadership, including condemnations from the interior minister, who asserted that freedom of speech does not extend to supporting the invasion of Taiwan.

Her situation illustrates the heightened scrutiny faced by the over 400,000 Chinese spouses residing in Taiwan amid an environment of distrust and increasing caution towards cross-strait exchanges. As Taiwan's government under President Lai Ching-te seeks to bolster defenses against perceived incursions, calls for stricter oversight of Chinese activities have been growing.