Hong Kong Activist Zhang Xinyan Arrested in Thailand, Faces Deportation to Mainland China

Hong Kong activist Zhang Xinyan, a wanted member of the overseas pro-democracy group 'Hong Kong Parliament,' has been arrested in Thailand for overstaying her visa and reportedly faces deportation to mainland China. The 'Hong Kong Parliament' is primarily founded and run by self-exiled Hong Kong activists. Sunai Phasuk, a senior Thailand researcher for Human Rights Watch, confirmed Zhang's arrest by Thai authorities on May 9 via X (formerly Twitter). According to Phasuk, 55-year-old Zhang was wanted by both Hong Kong and Chinese governments, had her passport canceled, and faced a HK$200,000 (approximately 822,440 baht) bounty over allegations linked to national security. Phasuk warned that forcing Zhang back to China could place her at serious risk, potentially violating international law and Thailand’s anti-torture and enforced disappearance legislation. Chinese media outlets also reported that Hong Kong national security police sought Zhang's arrest in Thailand. Reports indicated she was detained for alleged visa overstay offenses and working without proper documentation, and was expected to appear in court. The 'Hong Kong Parliament' group issued a statement condemning the arrest as another instance of what it described as transnational repression by the Chinese government. The group urged Thailand not to deport Zhang to mainland China, citing significant concerns for her personal safety if returned. Zhang, a practitioner of Falun Gong—a spiritual movement banned in China—was reportedly accused last year of 'subversion under Hong Kong national security law' after being elected as a member of the 'Hong Kong Parliament' group. Hong Kong authorities subsequently listed her and 18 others as wanted individuals for alleged national security offenses.