Taiwan orders 3 mainland Chinese to leave for promoting military takeover of island

Decision to expel mainland influencers – all married to Taiwanese men – sparks concerns about free speech on the island

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Liu Zhenya, a mainland Chinese influencer, has been given until Tuesday to leave Taiwan or face deportation. Photo: Douyin / 亚亚在台湾

Published: 9:00am, 25 Mar 2025Updated: 8:42pm, 25 Mar 2025

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, left Taiwan on Tuesday night – the deadline she was given to leave or face deportation for promoting Beijing’s military takeover of the island on social media. As she left, protesters at Taipei Songshan Airport shouted: “Go back to China!”

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, officials from Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) confirmed on Monday.

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.