Socialism’s Trillion Dollar Chinese Characteristic w/ Zoe Liu
Taiwan Deports Mainland Spouse Amid Rising Cross-Strait Friction
Multiple mainland Chinese spouses in Taiwan have been deported recently, sparking widespread attention across the Taiwan Strait.
According to reports from both mainland and Taiwanese media, Taiwan authorities accused three mainland spouses of allegedly promoting “armed reunification” on the island and ordered them to leave within a specified period. This incident has been brewing for some time in Taiwan and has drawn significant concern from people on both sides of the Strait. Mainland Chinese officials have also made multiple statements on the matter in recent days. Spokespersons from the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of the State Council made several comments on this matter.
The most high-profile case is the “Yaya Incident.” Yaya, whose real name is Liu Zhenya, is a woman from Hunan, China, who married in Taiwan and has three children. She had an online account called “Yaya in Taiwan”, which was reported for allegedly posting multiple videos between May 2024 and January 2025 containing “remarks promoting the use of force by the mainland.” Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency later summoned her for questioning and determined that she had violated the clause regarding “endangering Taiwan’s security and social stability.” On March 12, authorities announced the revocation of Liu Zhenya’s dependent residency permit, banning her from reapplying for residency in Taiwan for the next five years.
The “Yaya Incident” has also caused a major uproar in Taiwan. Veteran Taiwanese journalist Zhao Shaokang criticized the decision, questioning, “If discussing reunification is considered promoting war and endangering Taiwan’s security, then shouldn’t those who advocate so-called ‘Taiwan independence’ and escalate cross-strait tensions be treated the same way?”
Yaya departed Taiwan on March 25, boarding a flight back to the mainland. A photograph of her parting ways with her three young children and husband at the airport became the focus of media reports on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, sparking widespread reactions.
Before leaving Taiwan, Yaya issued a statement, in which she outlined her stance on cross-strait relations, writing:
I want to once again make my position clear: I am a mainland spouse. I am from Hunan, and my husband is Taiwanese. But I firmly believe that Taiwan is a part of China and that reunification will happen sooner or later. I will not change my stance under pressure. More importantly, I hope for a peaceful and smooth reunification, as that would be the best outcome for people on both sides of the Strait. This is my sincere belief, yet it is repeatedly denied by those who advocate for "Taiwan independence." You may disagree with my views, but you cannot say that my statements are false, nor can you distort my words to claim that I support or advocate for armed reunification. What good would war bring? My life, my family, and my children are all here. If conflict breaks out across the Strait, we too would suffer the consequences.
Regarding Yaya’s experience and other two deported mainland spouses, the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of the State Council has made multiple statements. At a press conference on April 1, TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian pointed out: “Whether it is ‘Yaya,’ ‘Enqi,’ ‘Xiaowei,’ or the broader group of more than 400,000 mainland spouses, behind each of them is a cross-strait marriage and family. The DPP authorities have repeatedly abused the legal system, fabricated charges, and bullied mainland spouses, forcing cross-strait families apart. This is inhumane and devoid of morality. We strongly condemn it.”
Before the latest stance on the deported spouse incident, another TAO spokesperson, Chen Binhua, addressed the issue three times in March as the situation unfolded. On March 26, a reporter from Taiwan’s EBC News (Eastern Broadcasting Company) posed a question to Chen Binhua regarding the matter. Chen responded:
"The cross-strait marriage community is a vivid example of the concept that 'both sides of the Strait are one family.' Mainland spouses are family members and loved ones of our Taiwanese compatriots. The DPP authorities claim to uphold 'freedom, the rule of law, and human rights,' yet they repeatedly abuse judicial measures to bully cross-strait families, forcing them apart. This is inhumane and morally reprehensible."
On March 12, Taiwan’s EBC News (Eastern Broadcasting Company) asked Chen Binhua about the Yaya Incident, which was already at the center of public controversy. Chen responded:
Both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory—it has never been a country. This is an undeniable and indisputable historical and legal fact. For the vast majority of Taiwanese compatriots, including those in the entertainment industry, expressing their identity as proud Chinese citizens and opposing "Taiwan independence" separatism is entirely natural and reflects a sense of national righteousness. However, the DPP authorities resort to threats, intimidation, and retaliation, attempting to restrict and deprive Taiwanese compatriots of their freedom of thought and speech. This fully exposes the hypocrisy of their so-called advocacy for "democracy and freedom."
At the same March 12 press conference, a TVBS reporter also asked about the Yaya Incident. Chen criticized the DPP authorities for suppressing dissenting voices, calling their notion of “freedom” hypocritical and biased toward promoting “Taiwan independence” and “anti-China” narratives. He warned that continued abuse of administrative and judicial measures would severely infringe on the rights of Taiwanese people.
Notably, the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) did not stop at verbal criticism of the Yaya Incident but took decisive action. According to reports, on March 26, the TAO launched an online reporting webpage targeting “Taiwan independence” operatives and accomplices involved in persecuting Taiwanese compatriots. That same evening, the webpage swiftly published a list of 11 individuals identified as key figures in these activities.
According to China’s regulations issued in June last year, those who commit particularly severe acts of “separating the nation” may face the death penalty, while ringleaders could be sentenced to life imprisonment or at least 10 years in prison.
As Beijing and Taiwan escalate their rhetoric against each other, it is evident that both prioritize security over legal principles—raising concerns that the rule of law is being sidelined in favor of political agendas.
Taiwan’s Official Response
The Yaya Incident did not occur by chance but rather under a high-pressure environment shaped by a downward spiral of policies and rhetoric from both mainland China and Taiwan.
According to a March 13 report by Deutsche Welle, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te convened a National Security Meeting that day and later delivered a speech. The article wrote that Lai “enumerated instances where Taiwanese military personnel, artists, media professionals, and businesspeople had been allegedly bribed, infiltrated, coerced, or pressured by the Chinese government, and he proposed corresponding countermeasures.”
Lai warned, “The Chinese government’s objective is to sow discord within our society, keeping us preoccupied with internal conflicts while distracting us from the real external threats.”
At the beginning of his speech, Lai specifically mentioned active and retired military personnel who had “leaked intelligence, even formed armed groups, and plotted to harm their own country and people.” He advocated for the reinstatement of military tribunals, stating that “military judges must return to the frontlines” and work alongside judicial and investigative agencies to handle cases of treason, espionage, and leaks within the armed forces.During this meeting, Lai officially designated China as a “hostile foreign force”, drawing significant attention on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Under Taiwan’s Anti-Infiltration Act, Lai argued that any country engaging in warfare against Taiwan, using military confrontation, or advocating non-peaceful means to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty should be classified as a “hostile foreign force.” According to his interpretation, China meets these criteria.
Analysts on both sides of the Taiwan Strait suggest that this situation could further heighten cross-strait tensions. However, in response to media inquiries, Lai Ching-te expressed a different view. He stated, “Taiwan is a democratic country and a responsible member of the region. We have never been the ones to escalate tensions but have always been committed to regional security and stability.”
Regarding the Yaya incident, Lai Ching-te responded that advocating for war is not a matter of free speech but a criminal act as explicitly defined by the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He emphasized that while Taiwan welcomes immigrants from diverse backgrounds, it cannot accept those who harm Taiwan’s “national interests.”
Following Lai Ching-te’s administration’s move to designate China as a hostile force and implement various extraordinary measures to bolster domestic political security, Beijing has not only escalated its rhetoric but also demonstrated military resolve. According to Xinhua News Agency, Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, announced that on April 2, the command conducted the “Strait Thunder-2025A” drills in the central and southern waters of the Taiwan Strait. The exercises focused on verifying and identifying targets, issuing warnings and repelling intrusions, intercepting and detaining vessels, and testing the military’s capabilities in regional control, joint blockade, and precision strikes.
Conclusion
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues with no clear resolution in sight, many Western analysts argue that a Russian victory at the negotiation table could embolden Beijing to take military action against Taiwan. Whether this will be the case remains to be seen, but it has certainly prompted Taiwan to take bold action. Coupled with U.S.-China relations being at their most volatile in decades, cross-strait relations have become increasingly worrisome. This growing tension is evident in the hardline messages exchanged between Beijing and Taipei. The expulsion of Yaya, a mother of three young children, from Taiwan is merely a microcosm of the broader power struggle playing out across the Strait.
Juan Zhang is a senior writer for the U.S.-China Perception Monitor and managing editor for 中美印象 (The Monitor’s Chinese language publication).
The views expressed in this article represent those of the author(s) and not those of The Carter Center.
