Taiwan orders three mainland Chinese to leave for promoting military takeover of island

Taiwan has ordered three mainland Chinese women – all married to Taiwanese men – to leave the island for advocating cross-strait unification by force, sparking criticism that the move was a violation of free speech.

Liu Zhenya, a mainland Chinese influencer, has been given until Tuesday to leave the island or face deportation for promoting Beijing’s military takeover of Taiwan on social media, according to Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA).

Two other mainland Chinese – one identified as Zhao Zhan, and the other by the nickname En Qi – have been ordered to leave by March 31 or face deportation for similar statements, NIA officials confirmed on Monday.

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The decision comes as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government tightens its policies towards mainland China, designating Beijing as a “foreign hostile force” amid escalating cross-strait tensions.

The trio’s residency and work permits, along with their access to Taiwan’s public health insurance, were revoked, Taiwanese Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang told reporters on Monday.

“After the administrative penalties were issued, we immediately notified the relevant authorities to revoke their permits,” she said.

Liu, the mainland influencer, is the first person in the island’s history to be expelled for promoting forced reunification. She runs a social media account called “Yaya in Taiwan”, which has more than 400,000 followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

She filed an appeal against the ruling, but the Taipei High Administrative Court has rejected her request for a stay of execution.

On Friday, the NIA also notified Zhao and En Qi – who also have large social media followings – that their statements calling for mainland China’s military reunification with Taiwan and praising the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for its “mighty power” violated Taiwan’s laws.

In a statement, the NIA said their behaviour advocated the “elimination of Taiwan’s sovereignty” and were “not tolerated in Taiwanese society”. It also stated that their remarks had “instilled fear among the public and undermined social stability”.

According to Taiwanese laws governing cross-strait relations, a person from mainland China “may be deported or ordered to depart within 10 days” if deemed a threat to “national or social stability”.

The decision has sparked heated debate in Taiwan, with opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party criticising it as a violation of free speech and a disproportionate punishment.

“What exactly are the government’s enforcement standards? Are mainland Chinese spouses being deported simply because the government dislikes what they say?” KMT legislative caucus whip Wang Hung-wei said.

Wang acknowledged that calls for military unification were deeply unpopular among Taiwanese people but argued that the influencers were merely expressing their views, not engaging in criminal acts.

“Taiwan is a democratic society governed by the rule of law. Does this mean the absolute freedom of speech once championed by the DPP is no longer upheld?” she said. “It seems that today’s DPP has completely abandoned this principle.”

DPP legislator Puma Shen defended the government’s decision, arguing that freedom of speech should not apply equally to residents from “hostile states”.

“If you immigrate to the US and openly advocate for a military attack on the country, that would not be acceptable,” Shen said. “Individuals from hostile nations should be subject to stricter restrictions, with the key issue being proportionality.”

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has classified mainland China as a “foreign hostile force” and recently imposed stricter cross-strait policies, including banning Taiwanese citizens from obtaining mainland identity cards and warning of risks associated with travel to the mainland.

Beijing considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has not ruled out using force for reunification. It has increased military pressure on the island since Lai took office in May. The mainland government has labelled him an “obstinate separatist” who could heighten tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose any attempt to seize it by force. Washington remains committed to supplying arms for the island’s defence.

Lo Shih-hung, a professor of communications at Taiwan’s National Chung Cheng University, criticised the court’s decision to reject Liu’s appeal, arguing that its reliance on international covenants was flawed.

Although Taiwan incorporated these covenants into law in 2009, Lo noted that there was still “no specific legislation explicitly defining ‘war propaganda’ as illegal or subject to punishment”.

“If the government intends to enforce this provision, the legislature should enact clear laws specifying what constitutes war propaganda, its legal consequences, and enforcement standards,” he said on social media.

He also emphasised that in cases involving national security, authorities must prove a “direct and immediate threat”. He said that without such evidence, the court risked undermining constitutional protections for free speech and human rights.

Meanwhile, Zhao, one of the expelled influencers, lashed out at the DPP government, accusing it of targeting a mother of three children.

“So I, one woman, am enough to scare the Taiwan government? How embarrassing! This has become an international joke!” she said.

Zhao and En Qi later announced they would return to the mainland voluntarily, posting on social media: “We came to Taiwan happily, and we will return to the mainland happily. Congratulations! We will go back home with dignity as proud Chinese citizens.”