A Chinese influencer living in Taiwan has been ordered to leave the island amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China. The Taiwanese authorities announced on March 17, 2025, the revocation of Liu's visa, stating she must depart by March 24 or face deportation. This decision follows her controversial videos supporting the idea of China taking control of Taiwan by force.
The National Immigration Agency (NIA) justified its action by declaring Liu's behavior as advocacy for the elimination of Taiwan's sovereignty, which it deemed intolerable. Liu, known as Yaya to her 480,000 followers on Douyin—China's version of TikTok—has been vocal about her pro-Beijing views, often referring to Taiwan as "Taiwan province" and aligning with the Chinese government's narrative.
"The complete unification of the motherland is a necessity, regardless of what the Taiwanese people want," Liu stated in one of her videos, which sparked outrage among Taiwanese leaders. She argued, "Peaceful unification is much harder than unification by force," alluding to her belief in China's claim over Taiwan and the use of force if necessary.
The growing scrutiny of Liu and other Chinese influencers living on the island mirrors Taiwan's increasing vigilance against perceived Chinese influence operations. Liu had moved to Taiwan with her Taiwanese husband on a dependent visa, but her activities have since come under intense examination. With 360,000 mainland Chinese spouses residing in Taiwan, concerns have been raised about their activities amid tense cross-strait relations.
Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang highlighted the government's stance, asserting, "Freedom of speech is not an excuse to call for the invasion of Taiwan." This statement reflects the broader sentiment within Taiwan's leadership, which views Zhu's narratives as efforts to undermine Taiwan's autonomy.
The situation is exacerbated by geopolitical tensions following the election of pro-independence Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te last May. Lai’s administration has faced consistent backlash from Beijing, which has labeled him a "dangerous separatist." The Chinese regime has underscored its readiness to escalate military pressure, declaring the People's Liberation Army (PLA) ready to act if provoked by Taiwanese independence advocates.
Just recently, China marked 20 years of its Anti-Secession Law, reitering its commitment to reclaiming Taiwan by any means necessary. The law serves as Beijing's legal justification for possible military action against Taiwan's independence. The PLA commander warned of immediate military readiness, noting, "If ‘Taiwan independence’ secessionists are stubborn or even take desperate measures, and if external forces are determined to create tension and turbulence, the PLA will take all necessary measures to strongly deter and punish them."
With such rhetoric from China, the stakes are high for Taiwan as it grapples with both internal and external pressures. The incident involving Liu not only highlights the increasing scrutiny on pro-Beijing influencers but also serves as a bellwether for Taiwan's approach to managing its complex relationship with China.
While Liu claims her videos aim to bridge divides and promote goodwill, the Taiwanese government remains unconvinced, stressing the need to uphold national sovereignty. Liu's visa revocation may set the tone for how Taiwan manages Chinese influence within its borders going forward.