By Admin 
China on Tuesday (25 November 2025) denied allegations that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was harassed at Shanghai airport. China said that the action taken by Chinese immigration officials was in accordance with the law and rules.
China denies allegation of harassment of Indian woman
Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen living in Britain, was going from London to Japan on 21 November. He claimed that his three-hour scheduled stay took a turn for the worse when the immigration officials declared his passport invalid simply because Arunachal Pradesh was mentioned as his birthplace.
When asked to respond to the incident with Thongdok, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning claimed that the woman was not subjected to any kind of compulsory measures, detention or harassment, as she has alleged. Mao Ning said that the airline had also made arrangements for rest, food and drinks for him.
Jangnan is our area: China
He said, “We learned that China’s border inspection authorities have completed all procedures in accordance with laws and regulations and fully protected the legal rights and interests of the person concerned.” He also reiterated China’s claims on Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Jangnan or South Tibet. He said, “Jangnan is a part of China. China has never recognized the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established by India.”
India strongly protested
Sources in Delhi said that India had lodged a strong protest (demarche – a formal diplomatic protest) with China both in Beijing and Delhi on the day of the incident. India clearly told the Chinese side that Arunachal Pradesh is Indian territory without any doubt and the people there have every right to hold Indian passports and travel with it.
He said that the Indian Consulate in Shanghai also took up the matter at the local level and provided full assistance to the stranded passenger. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said she was deeply shocked by the incident and called it a violation of international standards and an attack on the dignity of Indian citizens.
Statement of Indian citizen Pema Wangjom Thongdok
Indian citizen Pema Wangjom Thongdok posted on social media that she was detained by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai airport for 18 hours on the grounds that her passport was invalid as Arunachal Pradesh was listed as her birthplace.
With the help of a friend living in Britain, she somehow managed to contact the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. According to the information, the Consulate officials helped him board a late night flight from the Chinese city.