Liu, a Chinese national living in Taiwan, faces deportation after a controversial online presence. She has until March 24 to leave the island, according to local media reports. If she departs, Liu will be barred from applying for another dependent visa for five years.
Known on social media as Yaya, Liu frequently posts videos that promote pro-Beijing views, often featuring her young daughter. In these posts, she refers to Taiwan as "Taiwan province" and aligns with China’s stance that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory. This narrative is part of a broader claim by China, which insists on Taiwan’s unification with the mainland, even hinting at the potential use of force.
In one of her videos, Liu stated, "The complete unification of the motherland is a necessity, regardless of what the Taiwanese people want." She added that achieving peaceful unification is more challenging than using force, depending on the choices made by the Taiwanese people.
As backlash against her videos grew, Liu declared on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, that she would not back down. She later explained that her goal was to promote understanding between Taiwan and China, arguing that those advocating for Taiwan’s independence are harming Taiwanese society.
Her comments have drawn sharp criticism from Taiwanese officials. Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang emphasized that freedom of speech does not justify calls for an invasion. Liu is among over 400,000 Chinese spouses living in Taiwan, a group that is facing increased scrutiny due to rising tensions between Taiwan and China.
In response to growing concerns about Chinese influence, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has called for stricter controls on cross-strait exchanges, viewing them as a means for China to create divisions within Taiwan. The situation highlights the delicate balance Taiwan must maintain in its relationship with China, especially as public sentiment continues to shift.