In recent days, Nepal has undergone significant changes, with many events seen as metaphors for the political situation in China. One of the most notable incidents was the burning down of the headquarters of Kantipur, the largest media outlet in Kathmandu, by young Nepalese protesters. This event has been considered a symbolic act, yet received little coverage from the Chinese Communist Party. The media is seen as a part of Nepal’s old system, drawing comparisons to China’s state-run media. In contrast to Nepal, China maintains tight control with high-pressure stability maintenance. Scholars believe that the conditions for a nationwide resistance and people’s uprising, similar to what happened in Nepal, are ripe in China, waiting only for a spark.
After pro-China Nepalese Prime Minister Oli announced his resignation on September 9th, following days of turmoil, Nepal has since regained calm. Sushila Karki, the former Chief Justice supported by the Z Generation (typically refers to those born between 1995 and 2009), has become Nepal’s first female head of government.
On September 12th, the Nepalese Presidency announced that, based on Karki’s recommendation, the federal parliament would be dissolved that night at 11 o’clock, with plans to hold a major election on March 5, 2026.
Videos related to the upheaval in Nepal have been circulating online, including footage of the fire at the headquarters of Kantipur Media Group, the largest media outlet in Kathmandu. The uploader stated, “They say this newspaper never speaks for the youth, acting only as a government mouthpiece, which is why it was set ablaze. The raging flames symbolize the anger of the Nepalese people towards the equivalent of the ‘People’s Daily’ and ‘Xinhua’ for Nepal! By burning down the mouthpiece, the corrupt government is silenced, allowing the true voice of the people to be heard.”
Netizens commented, “So when will the Chinese stand up to resist Xi Jinping?” “Nepal: Chinese youth, please take note, we only demonstrate once!” In these comments, users take a stand against Chinese state media entities such as the “People’s Daily,” Xinhua News Agency, and China Central Television.
Starting on September 8th, massive protests erupted in Kathmandu led by the Z Generation, resulting in at least 19 protesters killed and 300 injured during police crackdowns. On September 9th, protesters stormed into and set fire to the parliament building, presidential palace, prime minister’s residence, as well as residences of several high-ranking officials. The headquarters of Kantipur Media Group was also set ablaze.
The Kantipur Media Group encompasses Kantipur TV, Kantipur Radio, and the Kathmandu Post, with its headquarters located in the central business district of Kathmandu. The Kathmandu Post posted on X platform on the 9th, “Our office building was attacked and set on fire, our servers are down, all reporting and updates will now be published via social media.”
Despite Nepal’s multi-party system, the media is often criticized for being aligned with political forces.
There is no evidence to suggest a close relationship between the Kantipur Media Group and the ousted Prime Minister Oli, and protesters did not directly accuse Kantipur of supporting Oli. However, the burning incident is seen as reflecting the protest wave where the country’s major media outlets, like the government power, are seen as part of the “old system.”
According to reports from Indian media outlets such as The Economic Times, Organiser, and MSN, protesters led by the Z Generation in Nepal set fire to key national and media institutions, including the headquarters of Kantipur TV, the Presidential Office, and the Parliament building…
However, media outlets controlled by the Chinese Communist Party did not mention the burning of the Nepalese media building.
Official Chinese media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily emphasized stability in Nepal and military intervention in their reporting from September 10 to 13. The China-based “Observer Net” reported on September 9 detailing the chaos of the Prime Minister’s resignation and the burning of government buildings, describing Nepal as a “mess,” but the report’s link is now inactive (showing 404).
Sohu reported on September 10 that the Nepalese government building was set on fire, and dozens of officials, including the Prime Minister, resigned. China issued a warning alert, advising Chinese citizens in Nepal to ensure their safety. However, the report was later taken down, just like other related reports.
Phoenix TV reported that protesters set fire to the Prime Minister’s private residence, infiltrated government buildings, and set fire to the Parliament building.
Some posts on Weibo can be found regarding the “disorder” in Nepal, including videos of the Kantipur building on fire, but these posts generally align with the official stance put forth by the Chinese Communist Party. A blogger named “Wu Xinjian” discussed the “traces of the Yan revolution in the national demonstration in Nepal,” shifting the focus towards the United States.
This wave of protests in Nepal differs from previous demonstrations in the country. These protests were sparked by the authorities’ attempt to block social media and led by the young generation of the country. The protesters, who identify themselves as the Z Generation, grew up alongside social media growth on the internet.
On September 4, the pro-Chinese Nepalese government claimed to block 26 social media platforms to combat fake news, hate speech, and online scams. Banned services included WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. This measure became the catalyst for public resistance.
Critics argue that the authorities have overused their power to control and delete online contents deemed inappropriate or critical of the government.
Approximately 17 million people in Nepal use social media platforms, and the blockade severely impacted businesses and communications dependent on these services. The youth’s resistance is also linked to high unemployment rates, opaque public fund usage, and long-standing government corruption.
Nineteen-year-old university student Binu KC told BBC Nepali, “Leaders made promises during elections but never fulfilled them. They are the root cause of so many problems.” She added that the social media ban disrupted her studies, limiting access to online courses and learning resources.
The social media ban and subsequent protests occurred after Oli’s return from Beijing, where he attended a military parade. A netizen named @Lens on Asia posted, “Another ‘old friend of the Chinese people’ was beaten bloody. Will Xi Jinping dare to help him? Nepal Communist Party Chairman and Prime Minister Oli just returned from the CCP’s 93rd military parade to prepare to build a firewall in Nepal, but things went south.”
The burning of government buildings and the parliament by protesters in Nepal is seen externally as a symbol of destroying the “Communist Party’s monopoly of power and false narratives” in the country. But the situation in China differs from Nepal’s media environment since Nepal’s turmoil was triggered by the social media ban, while China has long controlled social media and introduced censored versions of domestic social media alongside traditional state-run media. This, coupled with years of “brainwashing” the Chinese people, has set China apart.
Mainland Chinese lawyer Yang Shan, speaking to The Epoch Times, stated that the situation in China is indeed complex. The Chinese Communist Party relies on indoctrinated individuals and controlled resources to maintain top-down control. There are many awakened individuals, but they remain in the minority. The Chinese people under CCP’s control are unaware of external circumstances and find it difficult to learn about foreign countries, making change in China challenging.
“More importantly, compared to countries worldwide, the CCP’s repression is more brutal, sophisticated, and comprehensive. They consistently learn from past experiences of corrupt regimes being overthrown to strengthen their control, ensuring a more stringent stability maintenance system. Of course, the corruption won’t change, the monopoly of power and autocratic rule won’t change, but what will change is how they enhance control to make the stability maintenance system even tighter.”
Yang Shan believes that there is hope, but it requires more people to acknowledge the CCP’s true nature. “Different groups need to cooperate closely, be fully prepared, and if there is an opportunity, unite and stand up together, then the CCP will be finished.”
Exiled liberal scholar Yuan Hongbing, based in Australia, told The Epoch Times that despite the CCP’s use of modern high-tech means to reinforce indoctrination, the stark contrast between the party’s lies and China’s reality means that anyone living in China cannot be unaware of the fallacy behind the CCP’s brainwashing tactics.
“I believe the vast majority of Chinese people, including most youth, now have a clear understanding of the true nature of the CCP.”
Yuan Hongbing also stated that the CCP’s tyranny cannot reform itself and will not exit the historical stage on its own. From the Soviet Union to Eastern Europe’s journey to freedom and the recent student protests in Nepal, all signify to the Chinese people that destroying the CCP’s tyranny requires a nationwide resistance and people’s uprising.
Yuan Hongbing asserted that the CCP is currently facing an irreparable crisis. Should China experience a massive uprising akin to the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and Nepal, all the conditions are ripe, with only needing a spark, presenting the most challenging problem for China’s resistance movement.
“Those aspiring to promote liberty and democracy in China must take the initiative to create the spark that ignites a nationwide resistance and people’s uprising.”