Arunachal Woman's 18-Hour Shanghai Airport Ordeal: How China's Social Media Ban Prevented Help

Nov 25, 2025 07:44 pm CST

An Arunachal Pradesh-born UK resident, Prema Wangjom Thongdok, was detained for 18 hours at Shanghai airport when Chinese officials refused to recognize her Indian passport as valid. China's internet restrictions prevented her from contacting family or the Indian embassy, highlighting how social media bans can exacerbate international travel incidents.