Cheng told Taiwanese news reporters the following day, Feb 10, that she had reported the incident to the police. The Kaohsiung police said on Feb 11 that this was not the case and that Cheng had not filed any reports.
Police investigations then found that the attacker was Cheng’s 32-year-old Singaporean male assistant, who had worked with Cheng to garner attention with the staged attack, according to Taiwanese media.
Cheng admitted in a livestream on Feb 24 that the video was a prank and apologised for her actions, after Kaohsiung police asked her to issue a public apology as the incident “had impacted negatively on the image of the southern port city”, reported Focus Taiwan.
On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Central News Agency, citing the immigration department, said that Cheng and her assistant had left the island and would not be allowed to enter Taiwan for up to five years.
The immigration department stated that foreigners were welcome in Taiwan as tourists but would not be allowed to engage in illegal activities.
“If cases similar to those that undermine social harmony and stability are found to be true after investigation, law enforcement will be implemented and severe punishment will be imposed,” read the statement.
CNA has approached Cheng for comment.