Priya
Share
Kathmandu. China's ambassador to Nepal Chen Song is once again in the news. The Chinese ambassador got into a heated argument with a senior Nepali journalist on the internet media over the interest rate on the loan taken from China's Exim Bank for the construction of Pokhara International Airport. Journalist Gajendra Budhathoki has claimed that the actual interest rate of the $215.96 million loan is much higher than the stipulated terms.
"The loan for Pokhara Airport was taken at a two percent interest rate, but the rate is five percent," Budhathoki posted on X. "This is the biggest lie. This is public information, yet you dare to lie," Ambassador Chen wrote on May 28 in response to Budhathoki's post.
The ambassador did not stop there and asked Budhathoki to formally apologize. The ambassador's behavior has not left a good impression in Nepal. Many people have accused the ambassador of threatening the journalist and said that he has completely disrespected diplomatic protocol.
"We demand a formal apology from you and your representative. If you have the documents, publish them. If you don't have them and you need time to find the evidence, what kind of intention is that? First spreading lies, then waiting for the tide to ebb and spreading them again," Ambassador Chen wrote on X.
Budhathoki replied on Twitter, "Don't intimidate me. Know your limits Chen. I have proof from the Nepal government." He further wrote, "The personal attacks and threats I have received from the Chinese ambassador and people loyal to him over statements posted on social media have raised questions about my safety."
Let us tell you that many journalists and diplomats in Nepal have criticized the comments of the Chinese ambassador. Not only this, they have described them as beyond the norms of standard diplomatic conduct. Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador Madhu Raman Acharya wrote on X, "It is unusual for a foreign ambassador to apologize to a host country journalist for a social media post. He can deny it or seek clarification from the government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should remind the ambassador of the limits of 'public diplomacy' and the risks of direct engagement."
--Advertisement--
