A funeral was held in Tokyo on Saturday for the daughter of a prominent Chinese human rights activist. The father was unable to attend, as authorities in Beijing have barred him from leaving the country.

Tang Jitian's daughter Zhengqi traveled to Japan in 2019 to attend university, but contracted meningitis in 2021 and died last month at the age of 27.

Zhengqi's mother and supporters, who attended the ceremony, laid flowers in front of her photo as they bid farewell.

Her father had sought to visit his daughter, but Beijing authorities, citing reasons including national security, have refused to allow him to leave the country,.

Tang has been watched closely in China, where authorities detained him for more than a year. He was released in January 2023. But he is believed to be still under surveillance.

A professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Ako Tomoko, supported Zhengqi.

Professor Ako, an expert on Chinese social issues, said she would have liked for Tang to be allowed to see his daughter even briefly for the last time.

She said a country should wish its people happiness, and she wants China, with its high global profile, to respect human rights.