Beijing, Nov. 25 (PTI) China denied on Tuesday that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh had been harassed at Shanghai airport, claiming that Chinese immigration authorities had acted in accordance with the law.
On November 21, Pema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian citizen living in the UK, was traveling from London to Japan. She claimed that her three-hour planned layover turned into a traumatic experience when immigration officials declared her passport "invalid" because it stated Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.
When asked about Thongdok's experience, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the woman was not harassed, detained, or subjected to any coercive measures.

According to Mao, the airline also gave the passenger in question a space to eat, drink, and 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," Mao stated.
She also restated China's claims to Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as South Tibet or Zangnan.
"China owns Zangnan. The so-called Arunachal Pradesh, which India unlawfully established, was never recognized by China, she claimed.
On the day of the event, India filed a strong demarche (a formal diplomatic protest) with China in both Beijing and Delhi, according to sources in Delhi.

India made it clear to China that Arunachal Pradesh is "indisputably" Indian territory and that its citizens have every right to possess and use Indian passports.
According to them, the Indian Consulate in Shanghai also addressed the issue locally and offered the stranded traveler the best support possible.
Pema Khandu, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, expressed his "deep shock" at the occurrence on Tuesday, calling it a "violation of international norms and an affront to the dignity of Indian citizens."
Thongdok claimed in a number of social media posts that she was delayed for eighteen hours by Chinese immigration officers at Shanghai airport because her passport was "invalid" because she was born in Arunachal Pradesh.