The statements made by Chen Song, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, have raised questions among the members of Nepal's House of Representatives. This issue gained further traction after Nepal Aaja published a report titled "Controversial Chinese Ambassador Chen Song's Unpleasant Behavior: Mohana Ansari's Strong Rebuttal!". Ambassador Song has been known for his controversial behavior, including threatening journalists and claiming that the Pokhara International Airport is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Chen Song has a lively personality that tends to land him in controversies frequently, much like a persistent rash on the back. He is highly active on the social media platform, X, posting something almost every hour. His social media presence surpasses even that of Mukunda Ghimire, also known as 'Mukunde.'

During the House of Representatives session on Tuesday, lawmakers Ramhari Khatiwada and Sarvendranath Shukla expressed their objections to Ambassador Song's statements, urging the government to summon him for an explanation.

On Asar 28, following two bus accidents in Simaltal, Chitwan, where 62 passengers went missing, Ambassador Song was criticized for making derogatory and sarcastic remarks, prompting protests from lawmakers.

Lawmakers criticized Ambassador Song for his undiplomatic remarks regarding the search efforts for missing passengers and the bus, with MP Khatiwada stating, “His Excellency has started making statements against diplomatic protocols and etiquette. On Twitter, he wishes 'Good Luck to the Search Team,' and makes jokes like 'Don't look for the bus, look for the magnet.' At the very least, let's show some empathy and support for Nepal in times of crisis. I urge the Foreign Ministry to summon the ambassador and demand an explanation.”

The search operation for the missing bus and passengers in Simaltal was a joint effort by teams from Nepal and India. However, after the magnet used in the search operation also went missing, Ambassador Song made inappropriate comments on the social media platform, X.

Addressing the same issue, MP Sarvendranath Shukla from the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party drew the government's attention to the derogatory remarks made by a diplomatic envoy regarding the bus accident in the Trishuli River on Asar 28.

Without naming any ambassador, Shukla stated that a particular envoy had mocked the search operations on social media, which was against diplomatic norms. He highlighted that this envoy had been making sarcastic remarks about the bus accident for three consecutive days and emphasized the need for this to be taken into account.

MP Shukla remarked, “It is unfortunate that the bus has not been found despite the efforts of over a hundred search personnel over seven days. But even more unfortunate are the sarcastic comments. While entire villages remain in mourning over this unprecedented incident, His Excellency has ridiculed the search operation in posts on social media. Instead of showing empathy, a friend is continuously undermining our joint efforts, Mr. Speaker.”

Shukla continued, “This action is against the diplomatic norms of any country. Regardless of the outcome of Nepal's leadership in this search operation, mocking it is condemnable. I have drawn the government's attention to this matter. Our security forces, along with experts from our friendly nations, have been working tirelessly, and it is unacceptable to make sarcastic remarks about their efforts for three consecutive days. This must be addressed diplomatically to prevent such occurrences.”

In recent days, Chinese Ambassador Chen Song has been making derogatory remarks about the bus accident on social media platform X. Social media users have also noted that his statements contradict diplomatic etiquette. He has also been involved in controversies by engaging with Nepali journalists on social media platforms like X.

Other Controversies:

Demand for Apology from Nepali Journalist:

• Chen Song publicly demanded a formal apology from Nepali journalist Gajendra Budhathoki for claiming that Nepal had taken a loan from China at an interest rate of 5% instead of the officially stated 2%.
• This aggressive stance was seen as an overreach of diplomatic norms and sparked criticism for intimidating a journalist.

Remarks on Nepal-India Relations:

• The Ambassador made comments suggesting that Nepal was "fortunate" to have India as a neighbor due to its large market, but also implied that India's policies towards Nepal were not always friendly.
• These remarks were perceived as interference in Nepal's foreign policy and ignited controversy, with many Nepalese officials and citizens expressing their displeasure.

Comments on Pokhara International Airport's Connection to BRI:

• Chinese Ambassador Chen Song has been vocal about the Pokhara International Airport being a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). His insistence on this point has led to public disagreements with Nepali officials who have maintained a more ambiguous stance on the project's alignment with the BRI.

Overall:

The controversial remarks and activities of Chinese Ambassador Chen Song have posed challenges to diplomatic relations in Nepal. The questions raised by lawmakers in parliament have compelled the government to seek a diplomatic explanation from the ambassador. This incident highlights the need for sensitivity in diplomatic protocols and foreign affairs.

China In Nepal