Immigration agency to revoke residence permit of Chinese influencer

Taipei, March 11 (CNA) Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) said Tuesday that it will revoke the dependent-based residence permit of a Chinese social media influencer who reportedly "openly advocated for [China's] unification through military force" with Taiwan.

The Chinese national, identified by her surname Liu (劉), will have her residence permit revoked in accordance with Article 14 of the "Measures for the permission of family-based residence, long-term residence and settlement of people from the Mainland Area in the Taiwan Area," the NIA said in a news release.

The agency explained it received reports that Liu made "unifying Taiwan through military force" statements on her online account -- "Yaya in Taiwan" (亞亞在台灣), which has nearly 400,000 followers on the Chinese social media platform Douyin.

Such an act violates the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, and other regulations, the NIA said.

"Based on the necessity of investigative facts and evidence," it summoned Liu, whose residence permit is based on her marriage to a Taiwanese citizen, to make a statement in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the NIA said.

The agency's investigation found that the influencer's statements violated regulations governing Chinese nationals residing in Taiwan.

In accordance with the law, Liu will not be allowed to apply for a family-based residence permit again for five years, the NIA said, adding that the measure was taken "to safeguard national security and social stability."

The agency called on individuals not to make inappropriate remarks in order to boost internet traffic for profit, which may not only violate relevant laws but also waste social and administrative resources.

It also strongly condemned any actions that harm Taiwan's democratic system.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Liu has been granted time on humanitarian grounds to get her family affairs in order before the authorities arrange for her departure, based on her dependent residence status and the need to make arrangements for family members.