Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council pushed back on a viral claim that a serving Chinese police officer was walking around Taipei, saying the man had already left the force and has now been deported — reassuring for the public, but it exposed a gap in how Taiwan holds people awaiting removal.

• The man is a former Chinese police officer who was convicted of robbery in China.
• He slipped into Taiwan illegally in July 2025, was caught by the coast guard, and served a prison sentence here.
• The footage circulating online was filmed while he was waiting to be sent back.
• Detention centers are legally capped, so officials had to release him into a looser "alternative custody" arrangement instead of holding him.
• Lawmakers have proposed tightening the rules to keep closer watch on people under that arrangement.

Outlook: Expect a push in Taiwan's legislature to strengthen monitoring of foreigners awaiting deportation, with Beijing-related rumors staying a live political flashpoint.