The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday categorically denied reports that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was mistreated at Shanghai airport. It also used the incident to once again reiterate its claim to Arunachal Pradesh, which it calls Zangnan (Jagannan). India considers this region an integral and inalienable part of India.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning categorically denied any harassment. She stated that the woman was neither detained, nor subjected to any unnecessary action, nor harassed. Border officials acted completely within the law. The airline provided her with a restroom, food, and water. Mao Ning reiterated China's long-standing claim that Zangnan is Chinese territory. China has never recognized the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' illegally established by India.

What is the whole matter?

In fact, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a British citizen of Indian origin living in London, was traveling from London to Japan on November 21st. Her three-hour transit stopover in Shanghai turned into 18 hours of torture. Chinese immigration officials declared her passport "invalid" simply because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. Following this, Pema made several posts on social media. After the incident came to light, India strongly objected.

According to sources, India lodged a protest with Beijing, stating that the detention of a female passenger from Arunachal Pradesh during transit at Shanghai Pudong Airport and the declaration of her Indian passport as "invalid" is completely unacceptable. China was clearly told that the detention was based on "absurd grounds" and that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India; its citizens have every right to hold and travel with Indian passports.

India also stated that this action by Chinese authorities was a clear violation of international civil aviation regulations, including the Chicago Convention and the Montreal Convention. Such actions create unnecessary obstacles to broader efforts to stabilize relations between the two countries.