Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Beijing and Kathmandu will close the borders to prevent any external influence during the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). According to experts, China's move serves to thwart any protest actions from the Tibetan community in exile in Nepal.
In the coming days nothing can pass between the two borders, which will re-open only on November 9. The decision has sparked protests from many businessmen and enterprises in both countries, who call on both governments to regulate the passage along the borders instead of blocking it.
Suraj Baidhya, industrial and former head of the Nepalese Chamber of Commerce explains that "in the name of security, Beijing and the Maoists in Nepal are willing to risking loosing thousands of dollars to their business."
According Lokraj Baral, a university professor, "China fears the entry of Western and Tibetan leaders." The researcher says that the Chinese government is paranoid and emphasizes that there is no real threat from Tibetans in exile in Nepal, already subjected for years to very strict security measures.
Nepal has 1,414 kilometers of common border with Tibet. From 1990 to 2006, the parliamentary monarchy, on the advice of India, allowed the free movement of Tibetan refugees into the country. The Dalai Lama and members of the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala (India) visited the country several times. To date, more than 20 thousand Tibetan refugees registered with the UN offices. After the abolition of the monarchy in 2006 and the rise to power of the communist and Maoist formations Nepal has changed course, abandoning the historic ally Indian and building close relations with China. In exchange for economic aid, Beijing has called for the repression of any anti-Chinese protests.
