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Under Xi Jinping, China is stepping up its border operations and building a 'New Great Wall', with residents denouncing the gradual takeover of Nepalese lands in the Tibet region.
China, under Xi Jinping, has been stepping up its border actions, leading to territorial disputes and, in some cases, encroaching on neighboring countries’ lands. One of the clearest examples of this movement is the construction of an imposing fence in the Himalayas, dividing Tibet from Nepal, something that many are already calling the “New Great Wall of China”. Residents living near the border complain that China is slowly and discreetly taking land from Nepal.
The New Great Wall and China's Advance on Nepal
In one of the most remote and isolated regions on the planet, the border between China and Nepal has become a hotbed of controversy. Chinese fortifications, including barbed wire, surveillance towers and security cameras, are encroaching on Nepalese territory. Meanwhile, residents of the Humla region complain that China is slowly and discreetly taking land from Nepal.
The fence that runs through Humla district is just part of a much larger network, a strategy by the Chinese government to reinforce remote areas and, critics say, expand its borders beyond agreed boundaries. Local residents say China's encroachment on their land is dividing communities and threatening traditional ways of life, such as herding.
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Nepal between China and India
Nepal is a small, landlocked country that sits between two giants: China and India. Despite its size, Nepal’s geopolitical position gives it a prominent place in the region. However, its government has been reluctant to directly confront China over border disputes.
Despite complaints from local residents, the Nepalese government, which is deeply tied to China both ideologically and economically, has avoided publicly acknowledging its neighbor’s actions. In 2021, a detailed investigation by the Nepalese government documented several Chinese violations in the Humla region. However, the report was mysteriously shelved and never made public.
The “New Great Wall of China” and population control
The Chinese fence and its fortifications, which have been frequently referred to as the “New Great Wall of China,” are more than just a physical barrier; they represent Beijing’s effort to control populations and regions it considers problematic. Tibet, for example, has a long history of resistance to Chinese occupation, and many ethnic Tibetans have fled to Nepal in recent decades in search of refuge.
With increased surveillance and physical barriers, this escape route has all but disappeared. In addition, Chinese forces have been pressuring Tibetans living in Nepal not to display images of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. Many see China as not only taking land from Nepal, but also attempting to control and suppress Tibetan culture beyond its own borders.
China's geopolitical intentions
China's expansion along its land and sea borders has been a major focus of Xi Jinping's policy. According to experts such as Brian Hart of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, China has been redoubling its efforts to assert its territorial claims in disputed areas. And the case of Nepal is just another example of this pattern.
This New Great Wall of China is not limited to the mountainous regions of the Himalayas. To the east, in the South China Sea, Beijing has turned coral reefs into military bases, sparking tensions with countries such as the Philippines. To the west, the People’s Liberation Army has advanced into territories disputed with India, resulting in violent clashes between soldiers from the two countries.
These incremental actions may seem isolated, but their cumulative impact is changing the geopolitics of the region. Small countries like Nepal are in a vulnerable position, trying to balance their relationship with China while trying to maintain territorial sovereignty.
Nepal's silence and China's pressure
For many analysts, the Nepalese government's silence on the infractions China’s border conflict is a reflection of Nepal’s economic dependence on its powerful neighbor. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba said in an interview that she had not received any formal complaints about problems on the border with Tibet. Her focus, she said, was more on the border with India, where the bulk of Nepal’s population lives.
The statement came as a surprise to many, especially the residents of Humla, who see their land being occupied. The government’s refusal to openly discuss the 2021 report detailing China’s violations raises questions about Nepal’s ability to stand up to Beijing. China’s pressure on its smaller neighbors is evident, and Nepal appears unwilling to jeopardize its economic relationship with the country.
China’s new Great Wall in the Himalayas represents more than a physical advance into Nepal’s lands. It symbolizes China’s expansion of power and influence over its weaker neighbors. As Nepal tries to balance its relations with China and India, fears of losing Beijing’s economic support are preventing the country from directly confronting these territorial issues.
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