UKHRUL, NOV 25: China on Tuesday asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is part of its territory, reviving a long-standing point of contention with India.
At a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing has “never recognised” Arunachal Pradesh as an Indian state. “Zangnan is China’s territory. The Chinese side has never recognised the so-called ‘Arunachal Pradesh’ illegally established by India,” she said.
Mao Ning was responding to a question after Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK resident originally from Arunachal Pradesh, alleged she was detained and harassed by Chinese immigration officials during a transit at Shanghai Pudong Airport on November 21. Thongdok’s three-hour layover stretched to 18 hours after officers reportedly declared her Indian passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace, insisting the state is “part of China.”
Related Arunachal part of China’: Indian citizen detained in Shanghai for 18 hrs
Despite holding a valid Japanese visa, her passport was confiscated and she was prevented from boarding her connecting flight. Thongdok claims immigration officers and airline staff mocked her, told her to “apply for a Chinese passport,” and denied her food, basic facilities, and help with rebooking. She also alleges she was pressured to purchase new tickets on China Eastern to retrieve her passport.
She eventually contacted the Indian Consulate in Shanghai with help from a friend, after which officials escorted her to a late-night flight. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Thongdok described the episode as a direct affront to India’s sovereignty and urged action against the officials involved, as well as assurances for the safety of Arunachal Pradesh citizens traveling abroad.
Also read Class 7 IDP Boy Attempts to Join Territorial Army to Support Family