Tibet conference in Nepal pushed online
An international academic conference on Tibet due to take place in Nepal this month has been pushed online, organisers said Saturday, calling it a “worrying development”. Nepal’s government denied that it had ordered the change, though the country is acutely aware of how sensitive the issue of Tibet is to its giant northern neighbour China. […]
International academics planned to convene a conference on Tibet in Nepal from August 23-29, but the event has been moved online due to what organizers deem a "worrying development." The International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) announced the shift, with its acting president, Francoise Robin, expressing regret over the decision.
Nepal's government denied ordering the change, citing sensitivity around the topic due to China's influence. Beijing has historically opposed international activities seen as challenging its sovereignty over Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau. IATS, based at Oxford University, maintains it has no political stance on the matter.
Kathmandu University, which was set to host the conference, received an instruction not to proceed with the gathering. Conference convener Sagar Raj Sharma stated the government cited it as an inappropriate time to hold the event. Nepal hosts a significant number of Tibetan refugees and shares cultural and linguistic ties with the region, bordering Tibet.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Tibet conference in Nepal pushed online hongkongfp.com
