By Liu Ching-ho / Staff reporter
The National Immigration Agency (NIA) yesterday said it has revoked a Chinese exchange student’s entry permit and deported him over a gesture it said targeted President William Lai (賴清德).
Lai on Monday delivered a speech at the closing ceremony of the Taiwan Bridge Program at National Taiwan University (NTU).
A Chinese exchange student surnamed Wang (王) on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, posted footage of Lai speaking at the event, along with remarks widely seen as threatening, including: “Is this the only chance you’ll ever get?” and “Take down little Lai Ching-te.”
A Chinese exchange student surnamed Wang passes through immigration yesterday after being deported by the National Immigration Agency.
Photo courtesy of the NIA
The post also included slogans such as: “Unification across the Taiwan Strait is a historical inevitability” and “Oppose separatist acts promoting Taiwan independence.”
The post sparked an outcry online, with many calling on the Ministry of the Interior to deport Wang. As the controversy grew, Wang,
on an exchange program at NTU, issued an apology, saying he had no intention of physically harming anyone.
A video posted by a Chinese exchange student surnamed Wang shows him “pinching” President William Lai between his fingers.
Photo: Screengrab from Threads
The agency said it had completed its investigation in accordance with the law and consulted the Ministry of Education, the Mainland Affairs Council and other government bodies.
It concluded that Wang’s conduct violated the principle of mutual respect and dignity and had caused social unrest in Taiwan.
Wang was deported at 3pm yesterday, and barred from entry for five years, it said.
Under the Regulations Governing the Entry of People from Mainland China into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法), Chinese nationals who engage in conduct that violates the principle of mutual respect and dignity while visiting Taiwan with official approval may have their permits revoked.
In Wang’s case, the agency said it revoked his entry permit and deported him.
Wang is also barred from applying to visit Taiwan for five years, and any subsequent applications will be subject to strict scrutiny, it said.
Taiwan is a democratic, free, open and diverse society that respects differing opinions and normal exchanges, the agency said.
However, Chinese nationals visiting Taiwan must abide by Taiwanese laws and regulations to ensure orderly cross-strait exchanges, it said.
The agency said it would continue to strengthen interagency cooperation and its handling of legal and regulatory violations to safeguard national security, social stability and order in cross-strait exchanges.
In response to the case, NTU said yesterday it had accompanied the student when he was questioned by authorities and providing him with assistance.
NTU said it respected the government's enforcement of relevant rules and remained committed to freedom of expression and an open, diverse and respectful campus.
It hoped that the incident would help students better understand that exercising free speech should also involve respecting others, NTU said.
Additional reporting by CNA