TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said on Thursday (Oct. 2) that it deported two Chinese nationals for disturbing a protest by Hong Kongers in Taipei on Tuesday (Oct. 1).

Hong Kong citizens in Taiwan organized a small protest in Taipei's Ximending area to coincide with China’s national day. Organizers said they were protesting China's infringement on democracy, freedom, and human rights in Hong Kong. They placed banners with slogans reading "Liberate Hong Kong" and "Hong Kong Independence." 

Two Chinese tourists reportedly disturbed the protest by tearing down the banners and verbally harassing the protesters. One of the tourists reportedly yelled, "Today is China's national day, and I will not allow these kinds of flags to be displayed.” “Taiwan and Hong Kong are both part of China,” they added. 

Police intervened, separating both parties and allowing the Chinese tourists to leave. The Chinese tourists had reportedly flown to Taiwan to visit relatives. 

MAC stated following the incident, "The government will take immediate and strict action against any mainland Chinese who come to Taiwan and engage in illegal or irregular behavior that endangers our national security and social stability.” It revoked the entry permits of the two Chinese nationals and deported them on Thursday.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) has not responded to a request for comment.

Taiwan is home to a large community of Hong Kongers, who immigrated following China's tough new national security laws.