ZHANG Xin Yan (張信燕), a 55-year-old Chinese national and Hong Kong resident, was arrested by Thai authorities in Thailand on 7 May 2026 on immigration-related allegations, including visa overstay and unauthorised employment, according to local reports. She remains in the custody of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau pending further legal proceedings. Despite holding valid refugee status granted by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Thai authorities have reportedly indicated their intention to deport her to China. She is currently at severe risk of political persecution, arbitrary detention, and an unfair trial if repatriated.
Zhang was a member of the overseas-based “Hong Kong Parliament” (香港議會). Because of her involvement in this group, Hong Kong’s National Security Department issued a warrant for her arrest on 25 July 2025, accusing her of “subversion of state power” under the Hong Kong National Security Law, placed a HK$200,000 bounty on her, and named her as a “specified absconder”.
It is reported that her Chinese passport was previously confiscated and revoked by the Chinese Embassy in Thailand when she attempted to renew it, leaving her without travel documents. Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Local authorities have treated refugees without valid visas as illegal immigrants.