China criticizes Taiwan over revoked residency permit

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's decision to revoke the residency permit of a Chinese national has ignited a diplomatic firestorm across the Taiwan Strait, with Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office (國台辦) launching sharp criticism against what it called judicial abuse targeting cross-strait marriages. The controversy centers around Liu Zhenya (Yaya, 劉振亞), a Chinese spouse and social media influencer who departed Taiwan on Tuesday following the unprecedented cancellation of her dependent residency status. This landmark case marks the first time Taiwanese authorities have revoked such a permit for a Chinese national, raising questions about the intersection of national security concerns and the rights of cross-strait families.

The diplomatic clash intensified as Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) delivered a scathing rebuke of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) on Wednesday (March 26), accusing the administration of systematically bullying cross-strait couples and transgressing fundamental ethical boundaries. In response, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (陸委會) defended its position through a statement that framed the issue as a targeted security measure rather than a broad policy against cross-strait marriages. The council specifically highlighted concerns about a small subset of Chinese spouses who allegedly endanger Taiwan's national security and social stability by advocating for military reunification with China, while emphasizing that the majority of Chinese spouses value their lives in Taiwan and actively seek integration into Taiwanese society.