Why Did The Burning Of A Book Lead To A Diplomatic Row Between China And Nepal?

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 12:00 IST

The controversy started at a technical institute in Nepal's Morang district, where several copies of ‘The Governance of China’ were set on fire in the institute’s campus

A controversial act within the confines of a college in Nepal has quickly escalated into a diplomatic crisis with China after Beijing objected to the burning of a book written by Chinese President Xi Jinping, forcing Nepal to act swiftly to contain the damage.

What Happened?

The controversy started at a technical institute in Morang district, where several copies of ‘The Governance of China’ were set on fire in the institute’s campus. Videos of the incident soon went viral on social media, sparking a controversy beyond the borders of the country.

In an effort to contain the damage, some officials said the books were either old or damaged and were being set on fire during the clean-up of the campus. However, the videos showed that the books were not damaged, raising questions on the rationale and purpose behind the act.

Why Did China React So Strongly?

The Chinese were not convinced. The government viewed the incident as not merely a case of disposal, but as a politically motivated act aimed at the country’s leadership and its ideology.

The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu dispatched a note verbal—a formal diplomatic note—to Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, calling for an investigation into the incident and holding the perpetrators accountable.

The burning of a book written by the Chinese president is of particular significance in China’s political structure, as the leadership and the ideology are closely related in the country.

How Nepal Responded

Kathmandu took swift action to control the aftermath of the controversy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs communicated China’s concerns to the Home Ministry, and police and local authorities were directed to investigate the incident and take appropriate legal action.

The officials recognised the gravity of the incident, especially in the context of Nepal’s relations with the northern neighbour. There were also attempts by local authorities to restrict the circulation of the viral video, fearing it might damage relations further.

Why Did The Issue Become A Diplomatic Crisis?

1. Symbolism: The incident was not just about burning books—it involved the writings of China’s sitting president. In Beijing’s view, it bordered on political disrespect or ideological provocation, elevating it to a diplomatic issue.

2. Adding To Existing Tensions: The episode comes amid growing Chinese unease over developments in Nepal, including concerns over Tibetan religious figures’ presence, scrutiny of Chinese-funded projects, and issues involving Chinese companies and contracts.

Most of these projects are related to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which involves the funding of infrastructure such as roads, hydropower projects, and airports by the Chinese. Critics in Nepal claim that the projects are costly and not commercially viable. There are also questions over high interest loans versus grants. The spectre of the debt trap is now part of the political debate in Nepal and has made the country’s political class wary of Chinese funding.

The book-burning incident thus became another trigger in an already sensitive relationship.

3. Nepal’s Strained Balancing Act: Historically, Nepal has tried to balance ties between major powers, especially China and India. Incidents like this complicate that balancing act, forcing Kathmandu to act swiftly to reassure Beijing and avoid appearing politically aligned against China.

4. Domestic Politics: Reports indicated the college had links to political figures, raising questions about whether the act was purely administrative or had political undertones. This blurred the line between local action and state accountability, intensifying China’s response.

News explainers Why Did The Burning Of A Book Lead To A Diplomatic Row Between China And Nepal?

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