SOAS-bound Student Detained in China for Over 80 days, According to Friend

James Albero, BA International Relations

Zhang Yadi (Tara), a 22-year-old Master’s student from Changsha, China, was offered a scholarship to study Anthropology at SOAS and was prepared to start at the beginning of this academic year. She had friends in London excited to show her around - but instead, she is now reportedly detained in a Chinese detention centre for the alleged offences of ‘inciting (Tibetan) separatism’ and 'endangering national security,’ according to those close to her.

A friend has stated that Yadi was keen on ‘introducing the Tibet she loves to Chinese audiences’.

On July 5th, Yadi traveled back to Changsha, China to visit her family after completing a two year business studies course in Paris, studying at the ESCP business school. Yadi subsequently went to visit the Tibetan region of Diqing, Yunnan.

Her last known contact with her family and friends was on July 30th.

Since then she has been missing, and is now believed to be detained at the Changsha National Security Detention Centre. Zhang now faces a minimum of five years in prison, but potentially up to 15 if she is accused of joining an international organisation that is deemed critical of China.

Human rights campaigners consistently accuse Chinese state security authorities of using vague offences such as these to silence academics and critics who protest against China’s supposed repression of Tibetan culture and religion. Amnesty International has declared that Zhang’s situation is ‘not an isolated incident. 

Friends and colleagues have stated that Zhang has allegedly been denied basic legal rights, including access to a lawyer and contact with family. Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer, Jiang Tianyong is believed to have met with Zhang’s mother. Subsequently, both were reportedly interrogated by state security officials. 

On Saturday October 4th, calls for SOAS to protect their students, Zhang to be freed, and ‘education, not jail,’ were heard around campus as part of a vigil attended by friends and concerned SOAS students, held to raise awareness and show solidarity. A one-minute silence was also held.

As of October 9th, despite Zhang’s detainment, she still has not been provided with a lawyer or officially charged. Her mother remains under high-level surveillance.

The only public statement released, as of yet, by a SOAS spokesperson, is the following:

‘We are aware of reports that a Chinese citizen who has been offered a place at SOAS is missing and detained. We are following the case very closely and offering support to those impacted via the channels available to us.’

A close friend of Zhang’s has told us: 

‘I would like to urge SOAS to fulfill its promise, to speak up for Zhang Yadi openly, to send emails to students and professors about their detained student, to write to the Chinese embassy and UK government about the case and call for her release. These are substantial and effective actions that SOAS can do now.’

An additional statement from SOAS University was requested by the Spirit regarding what further action had been taken, but SOAS has declined to comment. 

 Campaigners have been pressuring the Foreign Office to pursue the case with China with regards to the protection of her freedom of speech. Concerns continue to be raised about the lack of apparent university action, there have been calls for SOAS to employ their duty of care and defend their continual commitment to freedom of speech.