Hundreds of copies of Xi Jinping’s book were reportedly burned at a Nepal college, prompting a diplomatic protest from China and an official investigation by Nepalese authorities.
A diplomatic controversy has emerged between Nepal and China after copies of a book written by Chinese President Xi Jinping were reportedly burned at a technical college in Nepal’s Morang district. According to reports, the books included copies of The Governance of China, authored by Xi Jinping. The incident reportedly took place at Manmohan Technical College in Morang on Saturday night. Videos of the book burning circulated widely on social media platforms, drawing strong reactions from both Nepalese citizens and Chinese officials. The incident quickly gained attention due to its potential diplomatic implications, especially considering the sensitive nature of relations between the two neighbouring countries. The burning of books linked to a sitting head of state is considered a serious symbolic act, and the video footage amplified concerns about how the situation could affect bilateral ties. As the video continued to spread online, authorities in Nepal began taking steps to control the situation and prevent further escalation.
China Lodges Diplomatic Protest
Following the circulation of the video, the Chinese government reacted strongly to the incident. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu sent an official diplomatic note to Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing serious concern about the burning of books written by the Chinese president. The embassy requested an explanation from Nepalese authorities and urged them to take immediate and strict action against those responsible. The protest reflects the sensitivity surrounding the image and political writings of Xi Jinping, whose book The Governance of China has been widely promoted internationally as a representation of China’s governance philosophy and development strategy. Chinese officials view such acts as disrespectful and potentially harmful to diplomatic relations. The embassy’s protest highlights Beijing’s expectation that the Nepalese government will respond promptly to the situation and ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. Diplomatic observers note that China maintains close economic and strategic ties with Nepal, making any incident involving Chinese leadership particularly sensitive.
Nepal Authorities Seek Removal of Viral Videos
As the controversy intensified online, local authorities in Nepal moved quickly to limit the spread of the video showing the books being burned. Yuvraj Kattel, the Chief District Officer of Morang, urged media organisations and social media users to remove the video from their platforms. According to officials, the continued circulation of the footage could negatively affect relations between Nepal and China. Authorities emphasised that the issue was already being examined and requested the public to avoid spreading potentially inflammatory content. The call to remove the video reflects the Nepalese administration’s concern that the situation could escalate into a diplomatic dispute if the footage continues to attract international attention. Officials also warned that sharing misleading information or exaggerated claims about the incident could worsen tensions. By requesting the removal of the video, authorities hope to reduce public speculation while the investigation is underway.
Nepal Government Orders Official Investigation
The Nepalese government has ordered a formal inquiry into the incident to determine what exactly happened and who was responsible. Om Prakash Aryal, Nepal’s Interior Minister, confirmed that an investigation has been launched and assured that appropriate action would be taken if any wrongdoing is discovered. He also acknowledged that China had lodged a formal complaint with the Nepalese government regarding the incident. According to officials, investigators will examine whether the burning of the books was intentional or simply part of routine disposal of unused materials. The government aims to clarify the circumstances behind the incident in order to address the concerns raised by China and maintain diplomatic stability. Nepalese authorities have emphasised that maintaining good relations with China remains an important priority for the country. Therefore, the government is expected to handle the investigation carefully and transparently.
Conflicting Claims About the Incident
The incident has triggered widespread debate on social media, where conflicting claims have emerged regarding the number of books burned and the reasons behind the act. Some users alleged that thousands of copies of Xi Jinping’s book were deliberately burned as a political statement. Others questioned how such a large number of copies of the book had reached the college in the first place. However, the administration of Manmohan Technical College has offered a different explanation. According to college officials, the books had been stored in the institution for several years and were no longer in use. The administration stated that many of the copies were damaged by insects and had deteriorated over time. As a result, the college decided to dispose of them along with other unused materials. Some local residents have also suggested that the burning of the books was not intended as a political act but rather a method of clearing storage space. Nevertheless, the symbolic nature of burning books associated with a foreign head of state has raised questions about whether proper procedures were followed.
Wider Context of Nepal–China Relations
The controversy comes at a time when China already has concerns regarding several issues related to Nepal. Reports indicate that Beijing has been closely monitoring developments involving visits by Tibetan religious leaders to Nepal. China is particularly sensitive about activities related to Tibet because of political tensions surrounding the region. Another issue reportedly drawing China’s attention is the management of Pokhara International Airport, a major infrastructure project built with Chinese involvement. Allegations of irregularities related to the airport have reportedly caused concern in Beijing. Additionally, discussions around the involvement of Chinese technology company Huawei in Nepal’s future 5G network development have also attracted scrutiny. Against this backdrop, the book-burning incident has added another sensitive issue to Nepal–China relations. Diplomatic analysts say that while the issue may eventually be resolved through investigation and clarification, it highlights how symbolic actions can quickly escalate into international concerns in the digital age.
Potential Diplomatic Impact
Although the Nepalese government has moved quickly to address the controversy, the incident demonstrates how cultural or symbolic acts can have diplomatic consequences. Burning books written by a sitting national leader is often interpreted as a political gesture, even if it was not intended that way. As a result, governments must respond carefully to avoid misunderstandings between nations. Nepal and China share close economic ties, including infrastructure cooperation and trade links. Maintaining stable relations is important for both countries. For Nepal, China is a key partner in infrastructure development and regional connectivity projects. Meanwhile, China views Nepal as an important neighbour in South Asia and part of broader regional initiatives. The ongoing investigation ordered by the Nepalese government is expected to clarify the circumstances behind the incident. If the authorities determine that the books were destroyed simply as part of routine disposal, the issue may be resolved through diplomatic communication. However, if evidence suggests intentional wrongdoing, Nepal may face pressure to take disciplinary action. For now, officials from both countries are closely watching the situation as the inquiry proceeds.
