China Denies Harassing Indian Woman At Shanghai Airport

China on Tuesday denied claims that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was harassed at Shanghai airport, saying its immigration officers only followed “laws and regulations.”

The response came after strong criticism from India over the treatment of Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen.

Thongdok, who was flying from London to Japan on November 21 with a three-hour layover in Shanghai, said her stopover turned into a nightmare when Chinese officials declared her passport “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

She said she was detained for more than 18 hours, had her passport taken away, and was mocked by officers who insisted Arunachal Pradesh is “part of China.”

India strongly protested the incident, calling the Chinese claim “ludicrous” and reminding Beijing that Arunachal Pradesh is “indisputable Indian territory.”

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The Indian consulate in Shanghai stepped in to help her, bringing food and support, but she was still not allowed to board her flight to Japan despite having a valid visa.

Thongdok said she had no food, no information, and no access to basic services during her detention. She was told to either return to the UK or fly to India.

She has now written to the Ministry of External Affairs demanding serious action and compensation for the “harassment and mental suffering.”

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India has lodged a strong demarche with China in both Beijing and Delhi. Experts say China’s actions also violate international aviation rules under the Chicago and Montreal Conventions.

Thongdok is currently in Bangkok after choosing to travel to Delhi instead of returning to London.