Chinese promoter of surrogacy deported

A Chinese influencer who promoted surrogacy-related services for same-sex couples has been deported and fined NT$200,000, the Kaohsiung City Government said yesterday.

The influencer posted videos promoting fan meetups in Taiwan and providing information on how to have a child through assisted reproduction, the Kaohsiung Department of Health said.

The man contravened the Medical Care Act (醫療法), which prohibits entities other than medical institutions from advertising medical services, it said.

A National Immigration Agency officer escorts a Chinese influencer at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Thursday night.

Photo courtesy of the National Immigration Agency

He was neither a physician nor a licensed medical institution, it added.

Given his large social media following and wide reach, the penalty was increased to NT$200,000 in accordance with the law, it said.

The Assisted Reproduction Act (人工生殖法) stipulates requirements for medical providers, eligible recipients and procedures, while commercial surrogacy is not permitted, it said.

The department urged people seeking fertility services to consult qualified medical institutions and physicians.

The National Immigration Agency ordered the man, who was arrested in Kaohsiung on Thursday, to be deported.

The man had entered Taiwan on a tourist visa, but engaged in activities inconsistent with the purpose of his visit, in violation of regulations governing mainland Chinese visitors, the agency said.

The man, known as “Berlinsun” on social media, has more than 1 million followers on Instagram and Douyin.

Local media said he and his partner live in Malaysia and have talked about their experience of having children through egg donation and surrogacy on social media.