Former CCTV reporter Wang Zhian, who made controversial remarks discriminating against people with disabilities while participating in a talk show in Taiwan, has had his entry permit to Taiwan revoked by the Taiwan Immigration Agency and is banned from entering Taiwan for tourism for five years. Wang Zhian, dissatisfied with the decision, filed an administrative lawsuit. On Friday (June 20), the Taipei High Administrative Court ruled against him, affirming that his activities during his stay in Taiwan, such as participating in the recording of the “He Long Late Night Show” program, were clearly not in line with the approved tourism purpose.
The court explicitly stated in its judgment that Wang Zhian applied to enter Taiwan under the pretext of tourism but participated in the recording of the program, which was clearly inconsistent with the approved tourism purpose.
The court emphasized that if one wishes to participate in program recordings, they should apply for an entry permit for professional exchange purposes, rather than entering under the guise of tourism and engaging in related activities.
Wang Zhian argued during the lawsuit that his unpaid participation in the recording of internet programs was similar to tourists sharing their travel experiences on social media, which he believed aligned with the definition of tourism to “visit cultural relics, institutions, and customs of other countries.” However, the court decisively rejected this argument, deeming his remarks and actions on the program to have exceeded the scope of tourism activities.
Previously, the Executive Yuan’s Administrative Appeals Commission also rejected Wang Zhian’s appeal, stating that his recorded conversations lacked a direct relationship with the tourism purpose and were not an ancillary activity of tourism. The court upheld the original decision, ruling against Wang Zhian, but he can still continue to appeal.
The controversy stems from January 2024 when Wang Zhian arrived in Taiwan with a tourist visa and made inappropriate remarks about people with disabilities on the “He Long Late Night Show.” During the program, he mocked lawyer Chen Junhan, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, claiming that the Democratic Progressive Party’s election rallies “use disabled people to stir up emotions,” sparking strong criticism from various sectors of Taiwanese society.
Lawyer Chen Junhan, a Harvard and University of Michigan law graduate nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party as a non-constituency legislative candidate, responded afterwards, stating that Taiwan’s democratic system grants all citizens equal political participation rights. He criticized Wang Zhian’s comments as “extremely absurd,” reflecting deep-seated prejudices against people with disabilities. Chen Junhan urged society to reflect on the stereotypical impressions of people with disabilities, emphasizing that the value and abilities of individuals with disabilities should be respected.
Following public complaints, the Taiwan Immigration Agency immediately initiated an investigation and determined that Wang Zhian had clearly violated the regulations regarding mainland Chinese nationals engaging in tourism activities in Taiwan. Therefore, his tourist entry permit to Taiwan was legally revoked, and his permit was canceled. He is not allowed to apply for tourism in Taiwan within five years from his departure date.
The Immigration Agency reiterated that mainland Chinese nationals must strictly adhere to the approved purpose of their permit and are prohibited from engaging in activities that are not in line with the approved reasons. If there is a need for news coverage or participation in program recordings, separate applications must be submitted following the relevant professional exchange regulations.
The Immigration Agency clarified that this disciplinary action only restricts Wang Zhian’s tourism application for five years and does not completely prohibit him from possibly applying to enter Taiwan for other purposes under different regulations.
Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers such as Hong Shenhuan and Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Wang Bisheng, along with other political figures, publicly condemned Wang Zhian’s discriminatory remarks, emphasizing that the participation of people with disabilities in politics is an important manifestation of deepening democracy and social equality. Program producer Huo Jin publicly apologized after the incident, promising to remove the controversial segments and to handle program content more carefully in the future.