China envoy voices concern over Tibetan studies seminar in Kathmandu

China's Ambassador to Nepal, Zhang Maoming, has voiced concerns to Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai regarding an upcoming international seminar on Tibetan studies scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from August 23-29. The ambassador cautioned that the event, which will host hundreds of researchers and scholars, could be exploited by supporters of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to voice anti-China sentiments.

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The Chinese envoy drew the attention of the foreign secretary and cautioned that the event could be used by supporters of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

According to a senior foreign ministry official, Ambassador Zhang urged Nepali officials to ensure that no such anti-China activities occur during the seminar. He specifically highlighted the potential for individuals to speak against China and in support of Tibet. This concern follows recent events, such as the government allowing Tibetan refugees to celebrate the Dalai Lama's birthday, which some observers noted has heightened sensitivities.

The seminar is jointly organized by the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies and Kathmandu University's Centre for Buddhist Studies. While the Chinese embassy confirmed the ambassador's meeting with the foreign secretary, they referred inquiries to the foreign ministry. The ambassador did not submit a formal written protest or call for the event's cancellation, but rather expressed his reservations.

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Ambassador Zhang met Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai on Tuesday and discussed the upcoming event.

Registration for the event, which closed on June 15, cost between $360 and $440. The International Association of Tibetan Studies, formally established in 1979, operates as a non-political academic body dedicated to advancing research in Tibetan history.

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That is why the Chinese side expressed reservations over the upcoming event.