A Propaganda Pawn or Just Another “Vlogger”?
Taiwan is finally putting its foot down. A Chinese social media influencer living in Taiwan—who openly called for the island’s forceful takeover by China—is getting the boot. Authorities have revoked her visa, and she must leave by March 24 or be deported. Her crime? Advocating for the destruction of Taiwan’s sovereignty while enjoying the freedoms of its democracy.
The influencer, known online as “Yaya,” has built a following of nearly half a million people on Douyin (China’s censored version of TikTok), where she routinely parrots Beijing’s talking points. In her videos, she refers to Taiwan as “Taiwan province” (a phrase that makes most Taiwanese roll their eyes) and insists that unification with China is “inevitable.”
Her words—straight out of Beijing’s playbook—were too much for Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA), which ruled that her behavior was “not tolerated in Taiwanese society.” This is hardly surprising. If you move to a country and start promoting its violent overthrow, don’t be shocked when you get shown the door.
Who Is Liu, and Why Does She Matter?
Liu, who originally came from mainland China, moved to Taiwan on a dependent visa after marrying a Taiwanese man. Under normal circumstances, she would have been able to stay indefinitely. But her loud, unapologetic cheerleading for Chinese aggression made sure that wouldn’t happen.
In one particularly jaw-dropping video, Liu declared:
“The complete unification of the motherland is a necessity, regardless of what the Taiwanese people want.”
If that wasn’t blunt enough, she added:
“Peaceful unification is much harder than unification by force.”
Translation: If Taiwan doesn’t come quietly, the bombs will.
Even as public outrage grew, Liu doubled down. She insisted she was just “trying to promote the good on both sides” and blamed Taiwan’s pro-independence supporters for the backlash. That’s a bit like walking into someone’s home, announcing that their house should be burned down, and then acting shocked when they kick you out.
Why This Matters More Than Just One Influencer
At first glance, this might seem like just another social media controversy. But Liu is not just an internet personality—she’s part of something bigger.
Beijing has long used influencers, businesspeople, and even “spouses” to push its agenda in Taiwan. The Chinese government understands that a military invasion is costly—but winning over hearts and minds? That’s cheaper and just as effective.
Liu is among 360,000 Chinese spouses living in Taiwan. Most are ordinary people trying to live their lives. But in recent years, Taiwan has stepped up its scrutiny of individuals who use their presence in Taiwan to push Chinese propaganda. The government is now tightening laws to prevent infiltration, and Liu is just one of many who will likely be shown the exit.
Taiwan’s Crackdown on Chinese Influence
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has made it clear: Taiwan is done being a playground for China’s influence campaigns. Just last week, he announced new measures to curb Beijing’s infiltration tactics—everything from online propaganda to business investments that double as political tools.
China, of course, is furious. Beijing demands Taiwan’s submission but throws a tantrum every time Taiwan defends itself. The same people who support deporting foreign dissidents in China (or worse) suddenly cry about “freedom of speech” when their own agents get called out elsewhere.
The Bigger Question: Why Was She Here in the First Place?
Liu’s case raises an uncomfortable question: Why was someone who openly supports Taiwan’s annexation even allowed to live in Taiwan?
If a Taiwanese person moved to China and started calling for Hong Kong independence, they’d be arrested before they could even finish their first livestream. Yet, Taiwan—despite China constantly threatening it—still allows Chinese nationals to live, work, and even obtain citizenship. This generosity, while admirable, has been routinely exploited by China’s government.
Taiwan’s Right to Defend Itself
For years, Taiwan has faced an information war—one arguably more dangerous than a military invasion. China doesn’t just want to control Taiwan; it wants Taiwanese people to accept that control. That’s why Beijing floods the internet with influencers like Liu, hoping to chip away at Taiwan’s national identity from within.
Liu and others like her aren’t just “expressing opinions.” They are helping Beijing pave the road to an invasion. And Taiwan, being a democracy, has every right to say “not on our watch.”
Final Thoughts: No Free Pass for Propaganda
Taiwan’s response to Liu should be a wake-up call—not just for China’s influencers but for any country dealing with foreign propaganda. Freedom of speech is important, but it doesn’t mean giving a free pass to people who openly advocate for your country’s destruction.
Liu’s expulsion isn’t about silencing dissent. It’s about defending democracy from those who want to dismantle it.
And frankly, it’s long overdue.
