Chinese 'military unification' influencer forcibly deported

Taipei, April 1 (CNA) A Chinese national whose family-based residence permit was revoked over social media posts advocating China's "military unification" with Taiwan was forcibly deported on Tuesday after failing to leave the country before the deadline of her deportation order.

Known by her online pseudonym Xiao Wei (小微) on the Chinese social media platform Douyin, the pro-China influencer boarded a flight to Guangzhou at 2:10 p.m. from Taoyuan International Airport.

Xiao Wei, whose marriage to a Taiwanese citizen provided the basis for her long-term residency in the county, reported to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) earlier in the day.

Immigration agency personnel then escorted her to the airport.

"There's nothing wrong with being a dignified Chinese citizen," she shouted to reporters at the airport. "The Taiwan authorities are forcibly deporting me. Is it wrong to love my family and my country?"

According to the NIA, Xiao Wei repeatedly advocated for China's military takeover of Taiwan on Douyin, leading to the revocation of her residence permit.

An NIA press release on March 21 said Xiao Wei published several videos online, which included provocative remarks such as "The streets of Taiwan are filled with the Five-Star Red Flag" (the Chinese national flag).

The agency ordered her to leave Taiwan within a 10-day period. However, as she refused to comply, the authorities held a deportation review meeting Tuesday morning and decided to forcibly remove her.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) head Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) emphasized that while the government respects the NIA's legal decisions, he urged the public to be more inclusive and supportive, particularly toward Chinese spouses and other new immigrants.

"The small number of Chinese spouses who have made inappropriate remarks should not affect other new immigrants who identify with and care for Taiwan," he said.

Xiao Wei's deportation follows the recent cases of two other Chinese nationals, En Qi (恩綺) and Liu Zhenya (劉振亞), both of whom also lost their residency status in March for posting content advocating "military unification."

En Qi left Taiwan on March 31, while Liu departed on March 25.

The NIA reiterated on Tuesday that it will take strong legal action against any foreign nationals who publicly advocate the invasion or elimination of the country's sovereignty.