Taiwan Forces Pro-Beijing Influencer to Depart Amid Rising Tensions

The revocation highlights growing concerns about Chinese influence in Taiwan and the response of its government to pro-Beijing sentiments.

Taiwan's government has issued a directive for a Chinese influencer to leave the island within a matter of days due to her pro-Beijing stance. The influencer, known by her surname Liu and on social media as Yaya, has come under fire for disseminating videos that promote the idea of China's claim over Taiwan, suggesting that the island should be taken by force if necessary.

Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) declared that Liu's actions are incompatible with Taiwan's democratic values, asserting that they undermine the sovereignty of Taiwan. With her visa revoked, Liu must exit by March 24 or face deportation, and she is barred from reapplying for a dependent visa for five years.

Liu moved to Taiwan on a dependent visa after marrying a Taiwanese man, but her social media presence has increasingly drawn scrutiny. Her content often depicts Taiwan as "Taiwan province" and aligns with China's assertion that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory.

In a recent video on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where she boasts 480,000 followers, Liu insisted on the necessity of the "complete unification" of China, taking a harsh stance against those advocating for Taiwanese independence. Despite receiving backlash for her remarks, Liu defended her perspective, claiming to champion understanding between the two sides.

Taiwan's interior minister responded sharply, clarifying that freedom of expression does not shield calls for Taiwan's invasion and urging vigilance against potential Chinese infiltrations. The case is symptomatic of a broader wave of concern regarding Chinese influence, as President Lai Ching-te has called for stricter measures to protect Taiwan's sovereignty in light of rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.