UPDATE - China denies 'detaining, harassing' Indian citizen, reiterates claim on Arunachal Pradesh

UPDATES WITH REACTION FROM INDIA; ADDS SECOND DECK

By Saadet Gokce and Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Beijing on Tuesday denied "detaining or harassing" a resident of the disputed India-China border region in Shanghai, while reiterating its claim that the state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China calls Zangnan, is Chinese territory.

"Zangnan is China’s territory. The Chinese side has never recognized the so-called 'Arunachal Pradesh' illegally set up by India," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular press conference, according to the official transcript.

Beijing's comments came after Pema Wang Thongdok said she was held by Chinese immigration officials at Shanghai airport for 18 hours on Nov. 21 because her passport was considered "invalid" due to her birthplace being listed as Arunachal Pradesh.

Responding to the issue, Mao said: "China’s border inspection authorities carried out check procedures in accordance with laws and regulations, the law enforcement was impartial and non-abusive, the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned were fully protected, no compulsory measures were taken on her, and there was no so-called 'detaining' or 'harassing.'"

"Having border checks on people entering and exiting a country and carrying out law enforcement according to the specific situation of the entry or exit is the usual practice of border enforcement authorities of countries across the world," she added.

Following Beijing’s remarks, India expressed its displeasure with the “arbitrary detention of an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, who was holding a valid passport.”

“Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Shri Randhir Jaiswal said on Tuesday.

“The issue of the detention has been taken up strongly with the Chinese side. Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel. The actions by the Chinese authorities also violate their own regulations that allow visa-free transit up to 24 hours for nationals of all countries,” the spokesman said.

India and China have counterclaims in the northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state of the South Asian nation.