For days, Kathmandu burned not just with fire, but with the fury of its young. Streets once alive with chatter turned into battle zones as Gen Z protestors lit torches outside parliament, stormed government offices, and demanded that their leaders answer for years of corruption and misrule. At least 19 people died, hundreds more were injured, and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli finally bowed to the pressure and resigned.
And while the smoke thickened over Nepal’s capital, one voice was notably missing: China’s.
Beijing, Nepal’s powerful northern neighbour and a long-time supporter of Oli, stayed quiet as the crisis unfolded. State-run Xinhua merely noted that protests were happening and that Oli had stepped down — but no words came from the foreign ministry. In those tense hours, when Nepalis searched for signals from their closest allies, China chose silence.
Finally, on September 10, Beijing broke that silence. At a routine press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian carefully said
“It is hoped that all sectors of Nepal can properly handle domestic issues and quickly restore social order and national stability. China has already reminded its citizens in Nepal to pay close attention to safety.”
The words were diplomatic, measured, almost cold compared to the heat on Kathmandu’s streets. For many, it sounded less like a friend rushing to comfort and more like a cautious observer keeping its distance.
India, meanwhile, moved swiftly. New Delhi issued a travel advisory, airlines cancelled flights to Kathmandu, and border towns tightened security. China’s hesitation stood in sharp contrast.
Observers say Beijing’s silence speaks volumes. Oli had leaned heavily toward China, signing agreements on railways and trade to reduce Nepal’s dependence on India. He even endorsed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s grand global initiatives. Yet, when Oli fell, Beijing offered no open support only a late reminder that order should return.
Perhaps China’s quiet was strategic. Perhaps it wanted to avoid being accused of meddling in Nepal’s internal affairs. But to many Nepalis, Beijing’s silence felt like absence the sound of an ally stepping back when the people were stepping forward.
Now, as soldiers patrol the streets and a wounded nation wonders what comes next, China’s delayed words remind the world of a simple truth: sometimes, silence speaks louder than statements.
