Mainland Spouse Advocates Armed Unification, Has Taiwan Residency Revoked and Is Deported

Taiwan Presidential Office. (Chen Bozhou / Dajiyuan)

[People News] Liu Zhenya, a Chinese influencer living in Taiwan, had her residency permit revoked after making pro-unification comments on her social media channel "Yaya in Taiwan." Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) determined that her statements violated the law and canceled her dependent residence permit. Liu accused the authorities of infringing on her freedom of speech, and some voices in civil society echoed concerns that "a democratic society should not strip someone’s rights over a single statement." However, Taiwan’s Minister of the Interior, Liu Shih-fang, countered by saying that "freedom of speech is not a gift from the heavens." Scholars also argue that international consensus holds that freedom of speech does not extend to advocating war, and it is not an unlimited right.

According to Radio Free Asia, Liu Zhenya stated in a video on her social media channel: "If the motherland on the mainland stops considering the feelings of compatriots and decides to strike hard, Taiwan would be reduced to ruins in half an hour. You've been away from home for too long. If kind words don’t bring you back, do we really need to use the rattan cane to whip you? In the end, you’ll have to obediently return home in tears—so why resist?"

Liu, originally from Hunan and now married in Taiwan, frequently posted videos advocating for armed unification on her Douyin and YouTube channels. Her content, deemed to incite hostility, was recently reported by another influencer, Ba Jiong. Last Thursday (March 6), Liu confirmed that she had been summoned by the immigration authorities, saying: "Public figures in Taiwan talk about the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) all the time and broadcast such discussions on public platforms. Why is it that I’m not allowed to express my own views? So what exactly does Taiwan’s so-called freedom of speech mean?"

She further criticized Taiwan’s pro-independence and pro-democracy forces, claiming that those who "promote Taiwan independence and divide the emotional bond between compatriots" are the real threats to Taiwanese society.

Immigration Agency: National Security and Social Stability at Risk

On Tuesday evening (March 11), Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency issued a statement declaring that Liu’s statements posed a potential threat to national security and social stability, violating the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. As a result, her dependent residence permit was revoked, and she is barred from reapplying for five years.

In response to Liu’s accusations regarding Taiwan’s freedom of speech, Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang replied on Wednesday (March 12): "All Taiwanese people understand that freedom of speech is not a gift from the heavens, nor is it an excuse for military aggression, psychological warfare, or the armed invasion of Taiwan."

This case has also sparked a broader debate in Taiwan about how a democratic society should balance freedom of speech with national security concerns. Wu Jianzhong, an adjunct associate professor of political science at Taiwan’s Soochow University, noted that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) explicitly states in Article 20 that any advocacy of war or incitement to hatred should be prohibited by law. He stated: "Freedom of speech is not an unlimited right—certain types of content must be prohibited. When someone comes to Taiwan and openly advocates for war, that is not something that falls under Taiwan’s concept of free speech. After experiencing repeated infiltration and threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Taiwan now has a clearer definition of what freedom of speech entails, including a prohibition on spreading false information."

Deportation Instead of Criminal Charges – A Lenient Approach?

Veteran Japanese journalist Yaita Akio pointed out that many Taiwanese individuals—such as Lee Ming-che, Lee Meng-chu, and Fu Cha—have been imprisoned by the CCP for their speech or for trumped-up charges. In comparison, he remarked, "deporting a pro-unification Chinese spouse back to China is actually quite lenient."

Similarly, Hong Kongers living in Taiwan expressed their support for the government’s decision and called for stronger legal measures. One Hong Kong activist in Taiwan, Fu Tang, stated: "However, legal amendments should not only apply to mainland spouses or Hong Kong residents. All foreign residents in Taiwan should enjoy freedom of speech while also ensuring that this freedom is not exploited or undermined."