On July 5, Zhang “Tara” Yadi (张雅笛), 22, who has been studying in France, returned to Changsha, Hunan province, to visit her family. On July 30, she disappeared in Shangri-La, Yunnan province.
Zhang is an editor for the digital platform Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet (CYST) that emerged after the “white paper protests” in 2022. CYST says Zhang may have been taken by state security on suspicion of “endangering national security”.
Also known as Tara and online as , Zhang focused on promoting dialogue between ethnic groups in China, particularly between Han and Tibetan communities. She was scheduled to begin her studies at the School of Oriental and Asian Studies in London In Sep.
Before her disappearance, Zhang kept close contact with friends and family, but communication was abruptly cut off after July 30, according to CYST. Contradictory statements then appeared on her WeChat account, raising further concern.
Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong (江天勇) traveled to Changsha to provide legal assistance to Zhang’s mother. According to CYST, while Jiang was meeting her mother at a cafe on Sep 16, he was taken away by three unidentified men and brought to the police station. He has since been released.
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