Zhang Xinyan (activist)

Zhang Xinyan (Chinese: 張信燕; Thai: จาง ซิ่น เอียน) is a Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and member of the organization Hong Kong Parliament.[1][2][3] Based in Canada since 2026, Zhang is among 19 individuals wanted by the National Security Department for alleged subversion, with a HK$200,000 bounty placed on her in July 2025.[4][5]

Career

In 2014, Zhang moved to Thailand, claiming persecution as a member of the Falun Gong movement.[6] Her Chinese passport was confiscated and revoked by the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, and she subsequently obtained refugee status recognition by the UNHCR in 2016.[6]

2026 arrest and detention Thailand

On 9 May 2026, Zhang was arrested in Thailand on charges of overstaying her visa and working without a permit.[7][8]

On 8 July 2026, Zhang was detained by Thai immigration authorities just hours prior to her flight to Canada from Thailand under a refugee resettlement arrangement, and imprisoned at Suan Phlu Immigration Centre.[6][9] Zhang's lawyers have been unable to contact her since her arrest.[10]

On 12 July 2026, People's Party Member of Parliament Sorasak Samonkraisorakit called on the Thai government to release Zhang and allow her to travel to Canada to seek asylum.[11][12]

On 13 July 2026, Zhang appeared on a Human Rights Watch list of Chinese dissidents in Thailand at risk of being deported back to Thailand, along with Bai Zhaodong, Tan Yixiang, and Zhou Junyi.[13] Human Rights Watch’s senior Thailand advisor Sunai Phasuk described Zhang's arrest as "ongoing transnational repression" to the Hong Kong Free Press.[14]

Arrival in Canada

In August 2026, the Bangkok Post reported Zhang had arrived in Canada.[15] Toronto-based Chinese activist Sheng Xue published a photo with Zhang at Vancouver International Airport with supporters.[15][16][17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Wanted 'Hong Kong Parliament' member may be deported from Thailand". South China Morning Post. 2026-05-09. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  2. ↑ ซิ่นเยี่ยน, ภาพปก: บัตรสถานะผู้ลี้ภัยของข้าหลวงใหญ่ผู้ลี้ภัยแห่งสหประชาชาติของ จาง (2026-07-16). "เจ้าหน้าที่รัฐไทยขวาง 'ผู้ลี้ภัยการเมืองจีน' ไม่ให้เดินทางไปประเทศที่ 3 | ประชาไท". prachatai.com (in Thai). Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  3. ↑ matichon (2026-05-09). "ไทย จับผู้ลี้ภัย นักกิจกรรมที่ถูกจีน-ฮ่องกง เพ่งเล็ง หวั่นถูกส่งกลับ เผยมีบัตร UNHCR" (in Thai). Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  4. ↑ Leung, Hillary (2026-05-11). "HK gov't declines comment on wanted activist's possible deportation to China". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  5. ↑ "Police slap HK$200,000 bounties on 15 from subversive 'Hong Kong Parliament'". South China Morning Post. 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  6. 1 2 3 "Thai authorities detain Canada-bound Hong Kong activist". Bangkok Post. 2026-07-10. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  7. ↑ Reporters, Post (2026-05-10). "Hong Kong activist arrested in Thailand". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2026-07-12.
  8. ↑ "รัฐบาลไทยกักตัว จาง ซิ่นเยี่ยน นักกิจกรรมประชาธิปไตยชาวฮ่องกง นาทีสุดท้ายก่อนบินลี้ภัยแคนาดา เสี่ยงถูกส่งกลับจีน". iLaw (in Thai). 2026-07-10. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  9. ↑ "Chinese activist detained in Thailand reportedly blocked from flying to Vancouver". The Globe and Mail. 2026-07-10. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
  10. ↑ "Hong Kong refugee detained by Thai authorities, fate unknown | Prachatai English". prachataienglish.com. 2026-07-15. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  11. ↑ "Thai MP warns detention of Chinese activist could violate anti-torture law". world.thaipbs.or.th. Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  12. ↑ Wongsuwan, Surakitt (2026-07-11). "สส. สรศักดิ์ พรรคประชาชน แนะรัฐบาลปล่อยตัว จาง ซิ่น เยี่ยน นักรณรงค์จีน ชี้กักขัง-ขัดขวางลี้ภัย เสี่ยงส่งกลับไปเผชิญอันตราย". THE STANDARD (in Thai). Retrieved 2026-07-16.
  13. ↑ "Thailand: Don't Forcibly Return Chinese Dissidents | Human Rights Watch". 2026-07-13. Retrieved 2026-07-14.
  14. ↑ Leung, Hillary (2026-07-13). "Activist wanted by HK reportedly blocked by Thailand from boarding Canada-bound flight". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2026-07-14.
  15. 1 2 "Chinese activist held by Thailand arrives in Canada". Bangkok Post. 2026-08-04. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  16. ↑ "Chinese activist detained in Thailand arrives in Canada". The Globe and Mail. 2026-08-04. Retrieved 2026-08-04.
  17. ↑ Press, Hong Kong Free (2026-08-06). "Activist Zhang Xinyan, wanted by HK gov't, finally arrives in Canada". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.