China Demands Investigation After Nepal College Burns Hundreds of Xi Jinping's Books
China has formally lodged a protest with Nepal following an incident where a college in the Himalayan nation burned hundreds of copies of President Xi Jinping's book over the weekend. The event has triggered diplomatic tensions and widespread calls on social media for accountability to prevent souring relations between the two countries.
Incident at Manmohan Memorial Polytechnic
The book burning occurred at the Manmohan Memorial Polytechnic in Morang, where The Governance of China—a 2014 compilation of Xi Jinping's speeches outlining his governance blueprint, economic vision, and global ambitions—was apparently burned alongside several other texts. A video circulating on Nepali social media vividly shows copies of the book, featuring the Chinese leader's portrait on the cover, being tossed into a bonfire.
It remains unclear why the college possessed such a large quantity of Xi's book. Dean Rekha Shrestha reportedly claimed the books were "termite-infested" and had been lying unused for years, while the administration stated that junior staff burned them along with other documents to clear space in a laboratory room.
Diplomatic Fallout and Official Response
In response, the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu sent a diplomatic note to Nepal's foreign ministry, urging an immediate investigation and prompt action against those involved. This prompted Home Minister Oman Prakash Aryal to instruct Morang district officials and police to probe the incident thoroughly.
Chief District Officer Yuvaraj Kattel sought a written explanation from the college and deployed police after crowds gathered at the scene. He emphasized that Nepal "cannot tolerate such incidents" given its close relations with China, adding that authorities were diligently working to establish the facts. "Since this is a sensitive issue, we are trying to find out the truth," Kattel told The Kathmandu Post.
Social Media Outcry and Reporter's Account
The incident was first reported by Sonu Kumar Das of Live News Raftar, who allegedly witnessed people holding copies of Xi's book up to the camera before throwing them into the flames. "On Saturday evening, I got a message from someone that the college is going to burn down some documents. Initially, the college administration didn’t allow us to enter the premises. Later, some students took me inside the building where those books and other items were set on fire," Das recounted. "I was astonished that such a large number of copies of the book by Xi Jinping were burnt down."
After the video went viral, Kattel allegedly telephoned the Live News Raftar office and requested its deletion, warning that it could harm Nepal-China relations. The episode has sparked significant social media backlash, with Nepali users calling for accountability to avoid damaging bilateral ties. For instance, Facebook user Aashika Poudel commented, "Enough is enough, we cannot promote such nonsense. We should not create unnecessary tension with our neighbouring country. These actions only fuel aggression and division."
Another user, Bijaya Thapa, who obtained the video, questioned, "Why did such activities take place? Where were those thousands of books brought from, and for what purpose were they burned? Authorities should pay serious attention to this matter."
Broader Diplomatic Implications
This incident presents an early diplomatic test for newly elected Prime Minister Balender Shah, who faces the delicate task of balancing Nepal's relations with both India and China. The burning of Xi Jinping's books has heightened sensitivities, underscoring the challenges in maintaining stable international partnerships amid domestic incidents. As investigations continue, the outcome could significantly influence the trajectory of Nepal-China relations in the coming months.
