Nepal’s leader visits Beijing, joint statement uses ‘Xizang’ to refer to Tibet

Nepal referred to Tibet as “Xizang” in a statement issued after its new Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli completed a four-day visit to Beijing this week, his first trip outside the country after his election -- not India, as is traditionally the case.  Xizang is a term promoted by Beijing, but Tibetan advocates say it is yet another attempt by China to erase their distinct cultural heritage.

Both moves highlight China’s growing influence in Nepal -- and its hopes to reap the economic benefits of closer ties to Beijing, experts and Tibetan advocates said.

“The joint declaration between Nepal and China in which the word ‘Xizang’ is used instead of Tibet shows the lengths to which Nepal is willing to go to appease China,” said Sriparna Pathak, an associate professor of China studies at the O.P. Jindal Global University in Haryana, India, and a former consultant at India’s foreign ministry.

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