Chinese envoy to Nepal kicks up another row via social media

New Delhi: The Chinese ambassador to Nepal kicked up another controversy through social media, drawing the ire of the local population. In the latest such instance, Chen Song faced criticism for passing a "joke" about a bus accident in Nepal.

On July 28, while reposting a news article titled "19 kg magnet, brought to search for the lost bus, is itself missing", he wrote on X, "Find the magnet then". He was referring to the July 12 accident, when a bus travelling from Kathmandu to Gaur and another coming from Birgunj to Kathmandu were swept away into the Trishuli river at Simaltal, Chitwan district of Nepal.

Out of 65 passengers, 62 were missing. The whereabouts of the buses and most of the passengers are still unknown. Upon the request of the Nepal government, India sent a 12-member diving team with magnets to assist in the search. The Chinese ambassador's comments appeared to be targeted not only at Nepal but also at the failure of the Indian team, according to Kathmandu-based people.


Nepali Congress MP Ramhari Khatiwada termed Chen's comments 'objectionable' and urged the foreign affairs ministry to seek clarification from the ambassador. Sarvendra Nath Shukla, a lawmaker of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, criticised the Chinese ambassador without mentioning his name.