Deportation of Mainland Spouses: Lai Administration Buries Freedom of Speech

The Storm Media Editorial, March 20, 2025

Mainland Chinese spouse influencer Liu Zhenya was reported and ordered to leave Taiwan by the National Immigration Agency (NIA), Ministry of the Interior, for advocating on TikTok reunification by military force. Following this, two other mainland TikTok influencers, "Enqi" and "Xiaowei," were also investigated for similar remarks. This incident has sparked discussions on freedom of speech, national security, and the rights of 400,000 mainland spouses in Taiwan.

While statements supporting reunification by force are unwelcome in Taiwan, how should a democratic society measure its tolerance for unpopular speech? Does this tolerance vary based on identity? If mainland spouses are deported for such remarks, what consequences would Taiwanese citizens face for similar statements?

Since the advent of cross-strait exchanges, mainland spouses have accounted for 65 percent of foreign spouses in Taiwan, numbering around 400,000. However, they face legal inequality compared to Taiwanese citizens, with a lengthy process to obtain residency and citizenship. In recent years, they have been treated as "special cases"—some legally elected as representatives, such as local councilors and village chiefs, had their qualifications revoked.

Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated, "Obtaining citizenship does not mean one can act with impunity." This implies that the government has the authority to revoke residency and even cancel Republic of China citizenship. This fear explains why the mainland spouse community remains silent on Liu’s case, worrying that they might be the next target.

The NIA revoked Liu’s residency based on the Permanent Residency Permits for People from Mainland China in Taiwan. Prosecutor Lin Ta argued, "Freedom of speech in the R.O.C. is protected only as long as it does not threaten the state's survival." He cited a case where a mainland spouse was accused of receiving Chinese funds for intelligence activities in Taiwan but was acquitted in both the first and second trials. He expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s broad interpretation of freedom of speech, believing that without direct violent action, individuals could evade punishment too easily.

The government's crackdown on TikTok influencers is not just a warning to mainland spouses but signals a shift toward a censorship mechanism similar to that of mainland China. Taiwan has long prided itself on democracy and freedom but now appears to be moving toward stricter speech control. Such measures do not affect the mainland nor protect Taiwanese citizens there. Instead, they undermine Taiwan’s commitment to freedom of speech, create uncertainty about the boundaries of freedom, and strain trust between Taiwan and mainland spouses, who are the parents of Taiwanese children.
 

From: https://www.storm.mg/article/5342185?mode=whole
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