Chinese influencer Yaya ordered to leave Taiwan after posting pro-China video

[ad_1] Outstanding Chinese language influencer Liu Zhenya, also referred to as “Yaya,” left Taiwan Tuesday night on orders from the Taiwanese authorities after she acquired in hassle for social media posts that appeared to assist China’s use of power to take over Taiwan.

Initially, Liu resisted leaving and held a press convention to protest the choice, claiming the Taiwan authorities was abusing its energy. She was criticized by protesters who gathered on the scene and shouted anti-China slogans.

However Liu left Taiwan on Tuesday night, March 25, simply earlier than the deadline set by the Taipei authorities two weeks earlier.

Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be “reunified” with China, by power if obligatory.

The video that acquired Liu in hassle was from Might 2024. At the moment, she posted a video on her Douyin social media account about China’s “Joint Sword 2024A” navy workout routines round Taiwan.

Within the video, she known as the Chinese language navy drills “essentially the most intimidating and aggressive workout routines ever,” and expressed assist for defending nationwide sovereignty. “Possibly tomorrow morning, the island shall be full of five-star crimson flags,” she mentioned. “Simply fascinated about it makes me blissful.”

This video was later reposted on the official Fb account of Taiwan.cn, a media outlet beneath the Taiwan Affairs Workplace in Beijing.

On March 12, Taiwan’s Nationwide Immigration Company, or NIA, decided that her actions violated rules on residency for mainland Chinese language nationals and revoked her residency allow on the grounds of “endangering nationwide safety and social stability.”

It additionally imposed a five-year ban on reapplying for the allow and mentioned she should depart the island by March 25.

Heckled at press convention On Tuesday, Liu held a press convention to criticize the NIA’s resolution to revoke her residency, calling it an abuse of energy. Liu defended her feedback, insisting that she had by no means advocated for navy unification.

“I assist peaceable unification. My dialogue of navy unification was primarily based on an evaluation of the present state of affairs,” she mentioned. “Speaking about navy unification is completely different from advocating for it.”

Liu additionally appealed to the Taiwan authorities to not separate her from her youngsters, who reside in Taiwan together with her Taiwanese husband.

【亚亚抗拒限期离境 在台湾内政部陈情】【大批民众聚集抗议亚亚 要求她“回归中国”】网红八囧与群众在内政部门口与亚亚及支持者对峙，高喊口号。亚亚在内政部门口辩称自己没有主张武统，是对“形势的分析”。看看资料影片，大家觉得她的口气是“分析”还是“鼓吹武统”？#亚亚 #武统 #居留 #台湾 #中国… pic.twitter.com/HKAc6XUtea

— 自由亚洲电台 (@RFA_Chinese) March 25, 2025

All through the press convention, protesters repeatedly shouted, “Welcome Yaya again to China,” together with different chants like “Yaya, return to China!” and “June 4,” a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen Sq. Bloodbath that Beijing has tried to cowl up.

Ba Jiong, a Taiwanese influencer who had initially reported on Liu’s actions, claimed Liu’s refusal to depart voluntarily was an try to stage a dramatic exit, with Taiwanese immigration officers escorting her onto the airplane.

Ba Jiong mentioned this could enable Liu to create propaganda for Chinese language state media.

“Yaya needs to take a symbolic gesture again to China,” he mentioned. “We’ll assist fulfill her want by holding indicators like ‘June 4’ and pictures of Xi Jinping and the previous International Minister Qin Gang who went silent, ensuring she has no materials to make use of for her propaganda.”

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai mentioned that freedom of speech will need to have limits. “Freedom of speech has boundaries, and the boundary is the survival of the state,” he mentioned. “One can not defame the nation and nonetheless anticipate it to guard you.”

In a separate interview, Inside Minister Liu Shih-fang identified that Liu the influencer was not simply an abnormal mom. “She is waging a authorized, public opinion, and psychological battle, and he or she has additionally obtained assist from many pro-China Taiwanese and influencers,” Liu mentioned.

Liu confirmed that NIA had decided concerning “Yaya,” urging her to depart voluntarily. “If she doesn't depart by the deadline, we'll take obligatory measures, and this resolution has not modified,” she mentioned.