China’s construction of a safety wall along the Bhotekoshi River on its side of the Nepal-China border has sparked strong protests from Nepal. Officials in Nepal are worried that this construction could potentially change the river’s course, leading to damage on the Nepali side. The construction activities by China are seen as a violation of the 1963 boundary protocol between the two countries, which mandates prior notification before any construction along the international border.
Nepal’s Home Ministry officials have confirmed that the Chinese side is building a safety wall along the river within Chinese territory near the border. The Bhotekoshi River, flowing through the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchowk district, serves as a natural boundary between Nepal and China. Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk, Ram Krishna Adhikari, stated that the wall has been constructed on the Chinese side of the border, and the Nepali authorities will assess if these activities align with bilateral agreements.
The District Administration Office in Sindhupalchowk recently informed the government about the Chinese construction activities near the border. Subsequently, the matter was escalated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic action. The Kathmandu Post reported that the Foreign Ministry urged China to immediately halt the construction activities. Despite no immediate comments from Foreign Ministry officials, a senior official at Nepal’s Home Ministry mentioned that a diplomatic note was sent to China protesting the construction without prior notification.
