On 31 July 2025, Zhang Yadi, known online as Tara, was arrested in Shangri-La (Gyalthang) in Yunnan province, China.
An outspoken advocate for Tibetan culture, history, and people, Tara was arrested for what China claims to be "inciting others to split the country and undermine national unity."
As an incoming international student to SOAS at the University of London, we believe that the UK government should be invested in her immediate release.
Tara has stood alongside Tibetans, and now we must stand alongside her.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of the United Kingdom to raise concerns with the People’s Republic of China and seek the immediate release of international student and advocate for Tibet, Zhang Yadi (Tara).
On 31 July 2025, Zhang Yadi was arrested in Shangri-La (Gyalthang) in Yunnan province, China. She was in China visiting her family for the summer, in advance of her Masters studies at University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) in September, for which she had been awarded a scholarship.
Known online as Tara, Zhang Yadi was an editor at Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet (华语青年挺藏会), an organisation dedicated to sharing the culture, history, and current events in Tibet following the White Paper Movement in China. Her work with the organisation is altruistic in nature, with Chinese Youth Stand for Tibet stating a goal to: “bridge cultures and foster a deeper appreciation of this extraordinary region”.
Zhang Yadi’s arrest represents increasing attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to further its transnational repression against outspoken advocates. This transnational repression is spreading towards the UK’s borders, and is threatening UK citizens and visa holders.
As an incoming student to the UK, who was expecting to start her studies in September, the UK government holds a degree of responsibility for her wellbeing, and should be extremely concerned about her arrest, and invested in pursuing her immediate release.