Xi Jinping visits Tibet. Beijing fears protests and closes the borders with Nepal
by Kalpit Parajuli
China is afraid of fresh protests by Tibetan activists supported by the West. Total closure of the Tatopani passage the only access to Tibet from Nepal. Entry to foreign tourists denied until July 25.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Beijing is afraid of more anti-China protests and has increased its control over its borders with Nepal ahead of the visit to Tibet, of Xi Jinping, Chinese vice president, in the coming days. Tatopani pass, the main route connecting Nepal and Tibet, and other minor crossings will remain closed until July 25th. The controls on the borders between the two countries started on 25 June during the celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. According to AsiaNews sources in China, the vice president will visit Tibet mainly to control the activities of separatist movements and verify the West’s support for those groups.
On July 12, the Beijing government announced that the total closure of borders concerns mainly foreigners, especially Americans, Indians and Europeans, who could sympathize with the Tibetan activists. According to local media Beijing’s decision has resulted in a sharp drop in tourist reservations. During this season tourists frequently travel to Tibet through Nepal. Every day over 400 visitors pass through Tatopani.
Bijay Poudel, head of immigration at the pass, underlines the severity of the crackdown of the Beijing government, which in recent years had always opted to control the borders, but never for a total closure. "It is the first time I’ve witness such close control by Chinese authorities - says Poudel - I can not understand what Beijing’s real purpose is." The official said that security measures are much more restrictive than controls made in March, the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against China.
Nepal has a 1,414 km long common border with Tibet. From 1990 to 2006, the parliamentary monarchy, on the advice of India, has allowed the free movement of Tibetan exiles in the country. The Dalai Lama and members of the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala (India) visited the country several times. To date, over 20 thousand Tibetan refugees are registered with the UN offices.
After the abolition of the monarchy in 2006 and rise to power of communist and Maoist formations Nepal has changed course, abandoning its historic ally India and establishing closer relations with China. In exchange for economic aid, Beijing has called for the closure of borders with Tibet and the repression of any anti-China protest.
On July 12, the Beijing government announced that the total closure of borders concerns mainly foreigners, especially Americans, Indians and Europeans, who could sympathize with the Tibetan activists. According to local media Beijing’s decision has resulted in a sharp drop in tourist reservations. During this season tourists frequently travel to Tibet through Nepal. Every day over 400 visitors pass through Tatopani.
Bijay Poudel, head of immigration at the pass, underlines the severity of the crackdown of the Beijing government, which in recent years had always opted to control the borders, but never for a total closure. "It is the first time I’ve witness such close control by Chinese authorities - says Poudel - I can not understand what Beijing’s real purpose is." The official said that security measures are much more restrictive than controls made in March, the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against China.
Nepal has a 1,414 km long common border with Tibet. From 1990 to 2006, the parliamentary monarchy, on the advice of India, has allowed the free movement of Tibetan exiles in the country. The Dalai Lama and members of the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala (India) visited the country several times. To date, over 20 thousand Tibetan refugees are registered with the UN offices.
After the abolition of the monarchy in 2006 and rise to power of communist and Maoist formations Nepal has changed course, abandoning its historic ally India and establishing closer relations with China. In exchange for economic aid, Beijing has called for the closure of borders with Tibet and the repression of any anti-China protest.
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