Beijing: China has begun constructing a border fence along its frontier with Nepal, reportedly encroaching into Nepalese territory, according to a report from The New York Times on October 12. The move, seen by analysts as part of China’s broader "creeping territorial aggression," has raised concerns not just about border disputes but also about Beijing’s coercive diplomacy towards Tibetans residing in Nepal.

The fencing is just one aspect of China's strategy to assert dominance in the region, as it seeks to weaken the influence of the Dalai Lama among Tibetans living in Nepal. China views the Dalai Lama’s influence as a destabilizing factor in the Tibet-Nepal region, and Beijing's efforts to impose its anti-Dalai Lama stance have intensified. The latest border developments have stirred unease, with Nepalese officials and civil society questioning China’s growing influence and its attempts to interfere in the religious and cultural practices of Tibetans in Nepal.

Territorial Aggression Beyond Borders
Nepal is not the only country feeling pressure from Beijing. Bhutan has also faced similar territorial claims from China in recent years. China’s key aim appears to be ensuring that the Dalai Lama is neither worshipped nor revered by Tibetans, whether in Tibet or across the border in Nepal. Chinese authorities have reportedly launched campaigns to dissuade Tibetan-Nepali communities in areas like Humla from displaying images of the Dalai Lama, underscoring the broader political and cultural conflict at play.

In addition to its territorial encroachments, China has also been promoting its own version of Buddhism to weaken the Dalai Lama’s spiritual leadership in Nepal. One particularly symbolic act of Chinese assertiveness was the carving of a 600-foot-long inscription on a hillside in Tibet, declaring "Long live the Chinese Communist Party," a message visible even from orbit.

Fence Divides Communities, Raises Security Concerns
The fencing along the China-Nepal border has already begun dividing trans-Tibetan communities who have long shared cultural and familial ties across the border. In Humla, a remote district of Nepal, local residents have reported that Chinese border forces have built barbed-wire fences, installed CCTV cameras, and constructed border infrastructure such as customs and immigration offices. This growing presence has alarmed local Nepalese lawmakers, with reports of encroachment dating back to 2021.

Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, a member of Nepal’s parliament, previously published a report exposing Chinese military incursions into the Humla district. The fencing has only heightened concerns, with many fearing that China's expansionist policies are gradually eroding Nepalese sovereignty.

China's Extradition Push and the Fate of Tibetan Refugees
China’s territorial ambitions are not limited to physical land. In 2019, Beijing pushed Nepal to sign an extradition treaty that would allow China to repatriate Tibetan refugees from Nepal. While the Nepalese government under Prime Minister K.P. Oli initially supported the treaty, widespread opposition from human rights organizations and civil society forced it to withdraw the proposal.

Despite this setback, China has continued to pressure Nepal on the issue. A recent joint statement from both countries expressed hope for the "early conclusion" of the extradition treaty, which could jeopardize the future of thousands of Tibetan refugees in Nepal. Many Tibetans who fled Chinese repression and sought refuge in Nepal since the 1990s have not been granted official refugee status, leaving them vulnerable to deportation if such a treaty were signed.

Regional Implications: Bhutan and Beyond
China's expansionist activities in Nepal reflect a broader strategy that has also targeted Bhutan. Over the last five years, Beijing has systematically laid claims to various territories across South Asia, including Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan, the only South Asian country that does not maintain diplomatic ties with China, has seen significant Chinese encroachments on its northern territories.

According to the New York Times report, China has constructed 22 villages within Bhutan’s traditional borders as part of its broader settlement strategy. Research indicates that these villages, built under China's "Xiaokong" project, are connected to Chinese towns by road networks, facilitating both civilian and military movements. This approach mirrors China's aggressive tactics in other border regions, where it seeks to claim disputed areas by altering the status quo.

A Strategic Land Grab?
The construction of Chinese villages along disputed borders is seen as part of a long-term strategy to bolster Beijing's territorial claims. Experts argue that China is systematically laying the groundwork for future territorial claims in Nepal, Bhutan, and other neighboring countries, leveraging border infrastructure and settlement construction to solidify its presence.

The international community has been slow to react to China’s expansionist policies. However, as tensions escalate along China’s periphery, many are calling for greater scrutiny of Beijing’s actions. Analysts warn that if these territorial disputes remain unresolved, they could contribute to broader regional instability, particularly as China continues its aggressive moves in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan.

For Nepal, the encroachment is not just about border sovereignty—it’s about maintaining its cultural and political independence in the face of a rising Chinese superpower. With China’s growing influence and the potential for more aggressive tactics, Nepal and its neighbors may be facing a new era of geopolitical challenges.