Indian woman detained at China airport over Arunachal Pradesh birthplace on passport

An Indian woman has alleged that she was detained at the Shanghai airport for 18 hours on November 21 after the Chinese immigration authorities claimed that her passport was invalid because it showed her birthplace as Arunachal Pradesh.

Beijing refers to Arunachal Pradesh as Zangnan. It lays territorial claims over a large portion of the state, claiming that it is “South Tibet”. India has rejected the Chinese claims.

Prema Thongdok, who has lived in the United Kingdom for 14 years, is a native of Rupa town in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, The Indian Express reported. Her family still lives in the town.

Thongdok told the newspaper that she was travelling from London to Japan and that her journey included a three-hour layover at the Shanghai Pudong airport.

The woman said that she was singled out during the security check for her Shanghai-Tokyo flight.

She had transited through the same airport in October and had faced no problem at the time, she told the newspaper.

“There was no issue, which is why it is clear that this was a case of harassment,” Thongdok told The Indian Express. “I was waiting in the queue at the security gate when a lady came, singled me out, and took me out of the queue.”

Thongdok said that the officials pointed to her passport, which showed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

“They were insisting that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of China, and that therefore my passport is not valid,” she said. “I asked them what laws state this or what written document specifies that such a passport is invalid.”

She added: “One of them [Chinese officials] even said that I should get a Chinese passport, because I am Chinese. They were mocking me. I was held at the airport for 18 hours, after I had already travelled 12 hours from London. They kept my passport and didn’t let me leave.”

Thongdok said that she could not access food. She also could not access information as Google is banned in China under Beijing’s censorship policies.

The Chinese officials did not allow her to continue her journey to Japan and insisted that she either return to the UK or go to India, she alleged.

She managed to call a friend in the UK who got in touch with the Indian consulate general in Shanghai. Indian diplomats arrived at the airport within an hour with food, she told the newspaper.

Thongdok said that the Indian officials were unable to persuade the Chinese immigration officials to let her continue her journey to Japan.

She was able to book a flight to India, transiting through Thailand.

In an email to the Ministry of External Affairs, Thongdok said that a “bilateral or geopolitical matter was misdirected at a private Indian citizen”. She urged New Delhi to take up the incident “strongly” with Beijing and that compensation be secured for “harassment, distress, and physical and mental suffering” and financial losses.

Detained on ludicrous grounds, says MEA

The Hindu quoted unidentified officials in the external affairs ministry as saying that a démarche has been made with the Chinese side in Beijing and in Delhi.

“It was stressed that the passenger had been detained on ludicrous grounds,” the newspaper quoted officials as saying.

They added that Arunachal Pradesh is “indisputably Indian territory, and its residents are perfectly entitled to hold and travel” with Indian passports.

New Delhi also said that the actions of the Chinese authorities were in contravention of the Chicago and Montreal Conventions relating to civil aviation.

Acted lawfully, claims China

Later on Tuesday, China refuted the allegations that Thongdok was harassed at the Shanghai airport, saying that the actions taken by the Chinese immigration officials were as per laws and regulations, PTI reported.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that the woman was not subjected to any compulsory measures, detainment or harassment as was alleged, adding that the airline also provided her with food and a place to rest.

“We learnt that China’s border inspection authorities have gone through the whole process according to the laws and regulations, and fully protected the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned,” the news agency quoted Mao as saying.

The spokesperson also reiterated China’s claims over Arunachal Pradesh.

“Zangnan is China’s territory,” PTI quoted her as saying. “China never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh”.