Nepal-China Relations: Concerns Rise After Cancellation of Tibet Academic Conference

Following reports that the academic conference on Tibetan studies, scheduled at the request of the Nepalese government, is set to be canceled, experts have expressed concern that this development could send a wrong message internationally. The conference, jointly organized by the International Association of Tibetan Studies and Tribhuvan University, was planned to take place from August 23 to 29 and was expected to host over 700 participants from various countries, including China. Organizers have described Tribhuvan University’s decision as ‘highly problematic’ and stated that they have not received any official written notification of cancellation.

Experts have emphasized that the academic event focused on Tibet has long been considered ‘prestigious,’ and rather than canceling it at the last moment due to sensitivities related to relations with China, caution during the preparatory phase could have prevented this situation. Some specialists suspect that the government may have felt compelled to make this decision under pressure from China, although Beijing has yet to issue any formal reaction on the matter.

A professor coordinating the event at Tribhuvan University asserted that the seminar is ‘not political in nature’ and commented that its suspension would ultimately harm Nepal itself. Ulrika Roessler, Secretary-General of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, described Tribhuvan University’s withdrawal from the conference as surprising and called the cancellation just two weeks before the event ‘extremely problematic.’

In recent years, the Nepalese government has demonstrated commitment to the ‘One China’ policy. Within this context, Sagar Raj Sharma, director of the Himalayan Centre for Asian Studies at Tribhuvan University, revealed that the Chief Secretary summoned the university’s vice-chancellor and local officials to request the postponement of the conference. This incident has added another layer of complexity to Nepal-China relations.