Chinese national and social media influencer Liu Zhenya (劉振亞), known on Douyin as “Yaya in Taiwan” (亞亞在台灣), faced investigation by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) for making statements promoting military annexation of Taiwan. The NIA stated on Tuesday that Liu’s residence permit has been revoked in accordance with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.
Liu had posted several videos to her account with nearly 400,000 followers on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, expressing her belief that Taiwan will always be part of China and that reunification is inevitable. She claimed she was maliciously reported for United Front rhetoric for a video advocating reunification by force.
Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang (劉世芳) said that following a review of her Douyin videos from May 2024 through January of this year, the NIA concluded that Liu will not be allowed to apply for a dependent-based residence permit for five years.
Liu Zhenya posted a video explaining the investigation process to her followers and questioning freedom of speech in Taiwan. The NIA stressed that while the government respects freedom of speech, Liu’s actions violated the law and must be dealt with commensurately.