Taiwan revokes residency of Chinese spouse influencer over 'national security'

Taipei, Jan. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) has revoked the long-term residency permit of a Chinese spouse known online as "Guan Guan" (關關) over "controversial remarks" deemed to pose a potential threat to national security and social stability.

In response to CNA's request for more details on the case, the NIA said Wednesday that Guan Guan had, in recent years, used multiple accounts on the Chinese social media platform Douyin to post "inappropriate remarks."

Those remarks included content calling for the "elimination of our nation's sovereignty," the NIA said, referring to the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's official name).

However, the agency did not, in its response, identify any specific posts it considered problematic or cite the remarks in question.

The response followed NIA's statement on Monday that Guan Guan had "publicly spread controversial remarks."

The NIA said after consulting with relevant agencies and in accordance with the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (Cross-Strait Act) and other regulations, it determined her conduct posed a potential threat to "national security and social stability."

Such a determination led to the revocation of Guan Guan's long-term residency permit -- a permit granted to Chinese spouses of Taiwanese citizens -- the NIA said, adding that it gave her an opportunity to present her views before ordering her to leave Taiwan.

Guan Guan left Taiwan on her own within the required period in mid-January, according to the agency.

In its written response Wednesday, the NIA further said Guan Guan will be barred from reapplying for long-term residency for five years starting from the day after her permit was revoked.

In the meantime, Guan Guan has lost her lawful residency status in Taiwan and is no longer entitled to related residency benefits, the agency added.

Those benefits typically include eligibility for services such as the National Health Insurance.

The agency also said that if Guan Guan files any future application to enter Taiwan, it will consult relevant agencies and conduct a "cautious review" before deciding whether to approve or deny it.

Guan Guan's case follows several similar actions taken last year by Taiwanese authorities against other Chinese spouse influencers accused of advocating "military unification," including those known as "Ya Ya" (亞亞), "Xiao Wei" (小微) and "En Qi" (恩綺).

All of them later left Taiwan -- either voluntarily or after being deported -- following the revocation of their residency permits.