Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Nepal cancels Tibetan studies conference after Chinese ambassador's concerns
A big group of scholars planned to meet in a city called Kathmandu, in Nepal, to talk about the history and culture of a place called Tibet.
About 720 experts from 39 countries were going to come to this special meeting.
But a leader from China, the ambassador, went to Nepal's government and said he was worried.
He was worried that some people at the meeting might say things that were not nice about China or support Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Nepal's government then told the university that had planned the meeting to cancel it.
China did not send an angry letter or order Nepal to cancel the meeting.
But Nepal canceled it anyway, because it depends on China for money and investments, and it sits between two big countries.
Many people think scholars should be free to study and talk about any topic.
Now the university that spent almost four years planning the meeting has given up, and the meeting may not happen anywhere.
This might make other countries worried about hosting similar meetings.
Nepal's government ordered Kathmandu University to abandon a seminar on Tibetan studies it had spent nearly four years organizing.
The biennial seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies was to bring 720 scholars from 39 countries to Kathmandu.
Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming met Nepali officials and expressed concerns that some individuals could speak against China and in support of Tibet and the Dalai Lama.
By multiple accounts, no formal protest was filed and there was no explicit demand for cancellation; the pressure came through sustained diplomatic suggestion.
Kathmandu University has withdrawn as convener, leaving the seminar's future and possibly its host country in doubt.
- Who
- Nepal's government, Kathmandu University, and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming
- What
- Cancellation of an international seminar on Tibetan studies that was to bring 720 scholars from 39 countries to Kathmandu
- When
- The seminar was scheduled for this month; Nepal ordered its cancellation after registration closed in June
- Where
- Kathmandu, Nepal
- Why
- Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming expressed concerns that the event could be used to speak against China and support Tibet and the Dalai Lama, and Nepal depends on Chinese investment and shares a sensitive border with China
Defenders of academic freedom
Backers of Nepal-China relations
Pressure vs. voluntary decision
Defenders of academic freedom
Critics say a sustained campaign of diplomatic suggestions from the Chinese ambassador amounted to coercion, producing self-censorship without the appearance of coercion.
Backers of Nepal-China relations
No formal protest was filed and no explicit demand for cancellation was made, so some can argue Nepal decided voluntarily and was not acting under duress.
Nepal's independence
Defenders of academic freedom
A government that anticipates displeasure before it is even expressed has surrendered the independence it claims to be protecting.
Backers of Nepal-China relations
Nepal has genuine reasons to tread carefully, given its economic dependence on Chinese investment and its sensitive geography, wedged between two giants.
- Conference
- International Association for Tibetan Studies biennial seminar
- Planned attendees
- 720 scholars from 39 countries
- Host institution
- Kathmandu University (withdrew as convener)
- Organizing time
- Nearly four years
- Chinese Ambassador to Nepal
- Zhang Maoming
- China's Ethnic Unity Law
- Took effect July 1
- Formal protest or demand
- None filed, according to multiple accounts