Overview

Taiwan’s Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang confirmed on Monday that a Chinese national, who publicly advocated for China’s annexation of Taiwan through military force, should leave the country within 10 days after receiving her deportation notice.

The woman, identified by her surname Liu (劉) and known on social media as “Yaya in Taiwan” (亞亞在台灣), was issued a deportation order on March 15 by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA). Her comments on Chinese social media platform Douyin, where she expressed support for China’s use of force to “unify” Taiwan, led to the order, citing threats to national and social stability.

Taiwan’s Official Stance on Deportation

During a legislative session, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Lee Kuen-cheng questioned Minister Liu about the exact deadline for Liu’s deportation. The minister explained that Liu should, in principle, leave Taiwan within 10 days of receiving the notice.

However, Liu Shyh-fang clarified that the process was “somewhat similar” to registered mail delivery. This means that if Liu receives the notice a day after delivery, the 10-day countdown would start from the third day, offering a small margin of flexibility.

“But no matter what day it is, we will still allow her time to leave the country safely,” Liu Shyh-fang assured lawmakers.

Background: Controversial Social Media Activity

Liu, a Chinese citizen residing in Taiwan through marriage to a Taiwanese citizen, sparked outrage by posting content on Douyin—China’s version of TikTok—where she called for China’s military intervention in Taiwan. Her social media account has nearly 400,000 followers.

Her remarks were seen as a direct challenge to Taiwan’s sovereignty and security. The NIA ruled that her actions violated the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, which states that a Chinese national can be deported or ordered to leave within 10 days if they pose a “threat to national or social stability based on sufficient facts.”

Legal Consequences for Liu

Following the deportation order:

• Liu must leave Taiwan within 10 days after receiving the notice.
• She is banned from applying for family-based residency in Taiwan for five years.
• If she refuses to leave voluntarily, authorities may take further legal action to enforce deportation.

The NIA emphasized that Liu’s statements “advocated the elimination of our country’s sovereignty,” a sentiment that “is not tolerated by [Taiwanese] society.”

Public and Political Reactions

Liu’s case has drawn significant public attention, with many Taiwanese netizens supporting her deportation as a necessary action to safeguard national security.

Some critics, however, argue that Taiwan’s democratic principles should allow for freedom of speech, even if controversial. Despite this, government officials stress that speech endangering Taiwan’s sovereignty cannot be overlooked.

Taiwanese lawmakers across party lines largely support the decision, stating that foreign residents in Taiwan must respect the nation’s democratic values and refrain from advocating for hostile actions against the state.

Implications for Cross-Strait Relations

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Taiwan and China. Beijing has consistently claimed Taiwan as part of its territory and has increased military pressure near the island in recent years. The deportation of Liu could lead to further friction in cross-strait relations, as China has previously condemned Taiwan for similar actions against pro-Beijing individuals.

While Taiwan allows freedom of expression, it has strict laws regarding foreign nationals who engage in speech that threatens national security. The deportation of Liu serves as a precedent for handling future cases of individuals promoting hostile narratives against Taiwan.

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