Why are Nepalis hosting regular protests outside Chinese embassy these days !

It may sound a little uncommon to know that a bunch of common Nepalis can be seen with placards in their hands and shouting slogans outside the Chinese Embassy in Baluwater in Kathmandu on a daily basis.

But, it’s no fiction as such a scene has become a common sight outside the Chinese embassy. What caused or motivated these Nepalis to stage the protest against the neighboring country.

There are around a dozen groups of activists and general people who have their own reasons for their stage. Among them most of them are worried about China not allowing the students to roll back in the colleges after the COVID-19, or some of them are worried about their imported goods being stuck in the border or some of them are angered by land encroachment in the country. Many also see these actions rose after China started unnecessary interference on our internal politics, economy and culture.

Many civil society members joined the protests fearing a ‘conspiracy’ that they have tried to influence Nepal’s politics and culture through interference in all sectors.

Rastriya Ekata Abhiyan (National Unity Campaign), a youth led non-profit organization, have been holding protests against China for their ‘regular intrusion in Nepal’s politics and undermining the sovereignty of the Nepalis people.’ Of the many issues they raise their voice, the organisation has been accusing neighboring China of its unlawful ‘encroachment of Nepal’s land’.

“China has encroached our lands in various hilly regions. It has claimed that Mt. Everest belongs to them while the world knows that Everest lies in Nepal. Also they have unlawfully erected many physical infrastructures on the other side of the Everest, which have endangered the mountain ecology,” said Binay Yadav, chairman of the organisation.

Yadav, who didn’t shy away to say himself a patriot, said that it was the purpose of a human being to fight for their nation and to save the dignity of the country at any cost. “What is the point of living when we cannot save our dignity and our pride,” said Yadav.

He further accused China for not being sensitive enough to hear the plea of thousands of students who were evacuated from different cities of China during the COVID-19 pandemic and later are not allowed to enter the country. “Can we imagine the trouble the hundreds of students who have not been able to secure their right to education in the proper way for the last two years. How can any country be so insensitive leaving students who once studied in their college be completely forgotten,” Yadav said.

In a similar way another group of activists Swantantra Nagarik Samaj (Independent Citizens Group) from time to time hits the streets of Kathmandu against ‘China’s open interference in the country,’. News reports, pictures and videos of the members of the group are often seen in media which reads, “down with China government”, “stop Chinese intervention”, “stop border encroachment” among others.

Some of the protestors also include businessmen who have been hard hit by the ‘unannounced blockade in the cross border checkpoints stopping imported materials in their own country.

Many traders have been accusing China of refusing to let the trucks full of materials imported by the Nepali businessmen become stock at the country's two major entry points at Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani. Large trading houses often transport their materials through the dry port of India which costs them more money but for smaller traders the issue has been a great problem lately.

Protests demanding the easy access of ports in Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani are also common in Kathmandu, but authorities have been failing to act on the issue promptly.

A  transit agreement, which was signed between Nepal and China in 2016 to allow the import and export of goods from third countries through Chinese ports. However, the agreement is not likely to bear any fruit any time soon.

Another organization, Nepal Democrat Union which also raises voice against China’s undemocratic valley had recently issued a statement claiming that China has been disseminating propaganda and misinformation to attack Nepal’s sovereignty. It also said that China was obstructing the passage of the MCC, a grant from the United State.

The NDU in a recent protest in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu drew the attention of Nepali lawmakers against China’s negative influences in the national politics.

Meanwhile, joint-secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Pradeep Kumar Koirala told pardafas that they will not allow anybody to allow any kinds of programs inside the country that are against our neighboring country. “No matter what country it is. Our rules are clear that our land must not be used to do any kind of harmful activities against our neighbors,” Koirala said.