Chinese exchange student expelled from Taiwan after posting illusion video targeting president

Wang, a Chinese exchange student from a partner university of National Taiwan University, recorded President Lai Ching-te speaking on campus and employed a forced-perspective trick that made it seem he was pinching the leader. He shared the video on Douyin, captioning it with remarks about “cross-strait reunification” and “opposing separatist acts,” then removed the post and issued an apology. On October 16, Taiwan's National Immigration Agency cancelled his entry permit, stating the act violated the “principle of equality and dignity” and imposed a five-year ban on his return.

The agency emphasized that while Taiwan respects diverse opinions, visitors from mainland China must comply with its laws. The Straits Exchange Foundation’s Lo Wen-jia said the decision should not deter future mainland exchange students, while KMT legislator Lin Pei-hsiang questioned whether the deportation infringed on free speech. National Taiwan University confirmed it assisted the investigation and reiterated the importance of respectful dialogue.