China: Young Student Targeted For Peaceful Activism Abroad

Zhang Yadi, also known as Tara, went to France in August 2022 to pursue her university studies. While abroad, she was actively engaged in public affairs concerning both China and global issues. As a dedicated volunteer, she participated in various civic initiatives. 

Before she was taken into custody, Tara had recently returned to China after graduating from university in Paris, France. She had been awarded a master’s scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in anthropology at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, starting in September 2025. According to reports, she is now being held incommunicado at the Changsha State Security Bureau Detention Center 

Tara turned 22 in July. She has a French-Tibetan partner and a white cat, both of whom are still in France, waiting for Tara to return home and be reunited with them.

The fact that Tara’s peaceful volunteer work has been cited as evidence of criminal activity and the use of vague charges like “separatism” or “inciting separatism” are deeply concerning. Yet this is not an isolated incident. Tara’s case is part of a broader pattern of violations targeting those who advocate for human rights, both within China and abroad. Amnesty International documented numerous cases in the 2024 report On my campus, I am afraid detailing how the Chinese authorities have systematically harassed and targeted overseas youth activists and their families. 

The Chinese government has recognised that international academic exchanges contribute to China’s economic and social development. However, many international students from China are living and studying with the constant fear of being targeted under China and Hong Kong’s national security and intelligence laws and regulations, or otherwise being subjected to surveillance, harassment or intimidation by Chinese authorities or their agents in connection with the exercise of their human rights. Chinese authorities’ efforts to curtail academic freedom and other rights beyond China’s borders is part of a phenomenon increasingly referred to as “transnational repression”, which refers to Chinese authorities’ actions to silence, control or deter dissent and criticism by overseas Chinese students and others, in violation of their human rights. 

In recent years, many of these overseas students have taken part in public criticism of the Chinese government, including through international solidarity activities with the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, and the 2022 “Sitong Bridge” and “White Paper” protests in mainland China. Their participation has drawn the attention of – and often repercussions from – Chinese authorities, such as the harassment and intimidation of the students’ family members based in China, as well as state surveillance of student activities overseas and censorship of their online expression.