Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming has expressed concerns over the upcoming 17th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies to be organised from August 23-29 in Kathmandu.

Ambassador Zhang met Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai on Tuesday and discussed the upcoming event, said one senior foreign ministry official. The Chinese envoy drew the attention of the foreign secretary and cautioned that the event could be used by supporters of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, according to the official.

The envoy said some individuals could speak against China and in support of Tibet, and urged officials to make sure that no such things happen, the official told the Post.

Hundreds of researchers, scholars and experts on Tibetan studies from around the globe will gather at the event.

According to the website of the International Association of Tibetan Studies, the seminar will be organised jointly by the Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies, Kathmandu University (HiCAS, KU); and the Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute (KU-CBS at RYI). The conveners are Prof Sagar Sharma (HiCAS) and Prof Thomas Doctor (KU-CBS at RYI).

Some Kathmandu-based individuals sympathetic to Beijing’s position on Tibet have also expressed concern over the event saying that promoting Tibetan language, culture and history could ultimately be interpreted as support for the Dalai Lama's views.

“Recently the government allowed Tibetan refugees to celebrate the birthday of the Dalai Lama and now this event is happening,” said one observer who has been following the Tibetan matter in Nepal. “That is why the Chinese side expressed reservations over the upcoming event.”

The Chinese ambassador, however, did not submit any written reservation or called for cancellation of the event, but voiced his concerns, the foreign ministry official told the Post.

Those who registered for the conference had to pay $360 for early registration and $440 for late registration, the Post has learnt. Registration for the event closed on June 15.

One official at the Chinese Embassy confirmed that Ambassador Zhang met with foreign secretary Rai but asked the Post to seek comment from the foreign ministry.

As per the itinerary, the opening Ceremony will be held at Kathmandu University’s Dhulikhel campus, and the rest of the programmes will be held at Hotel Soaltee.

The board members of the International Association for Tibetan Studies are Daniel Berounský (Czech Republic), Geshe Nyima Woser Choekhortshang Rinpoche (Nepal), Hildegard Diemberger (Austria), Dorji Wangchuk (Bhutan), Iwao Kazushi (Japan). Lama Jabb (UK), Pema Choedon (Norway), Karma Phuntsho (Bhutan), Françoise Pommaret (France), Jarmila Ptáčková (Czech Republic), Françoise Robin (France)., Ulrike Roesler (UK) and Yudru Tsomu (China).

Formally established in 1979 at the University of Oxford, it operates as a non-political academic body dedicated to advancing research in Tibetan history, religion, linguistics, and art.

Prof Sharma of Kathmandu University said that scholars and professors from world-renowned universities like Oxford and Cambridge will attend the conference. Scholars from 39 countries who are experts in the field of Tibetan Studies will participate.

“Its not a pro-Dalai Lama event. Huge numbers of Chinese professors and scholars are also attending. The Chinese embassy also knows about it. We have also informed different government agencies,” said Sharma.