China on Tuesday denied allegations that an Indian woman was harassed by immigration officials during a layover at Shanghai airport, insisting that its border authorities acted strictly in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations.
Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen originally from Arunachal Pradesh, was travelling from London to Japan on November 21 when her three-hour transit reportedly turned into an 18-hour ordeal. She alleged that Chinese immigration personnel declared her passport “invalid” solely because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, and she was not allowed to proceed with her journey.
Responding to questions on the incident, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thongdok “was not subjected to any compulsory measures, detainment or harassment” as alleged. She said the airline provided the passenger with a place to rest, food and water during the process.
“We learnt that China’s border inspection authorities went through the entire process according to laws and regulations and fully protected the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned,” Mao said. She also reiterated Beijing’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as Zangnan or South Tibet. “Zangnan is China’s territory. China has never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India,” she said.
New Delhi lodged a strong demarche with Beijing and in Delhi on the same day, sources said, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is “indisputably” an integral part of India and that its residents are fully entitled to hold and travel with Indian passports. The Indian Consulate in Shanghai also intervened locally and extended assistance to Thongdok.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said he was “deeply shocked” by the episode, calling it a violation of international norms and “an affront to the dignity of Indian citizens.”
Thongdok, in a series of social media posts, claimed she was kept at the airport for 18 hours until she managed to contact the Indian consulate through a friend in the UK. Consular officials later helped her board a late-night flight out of Shanghai.
