Kathmandu. A new and big controversy has arisen regarding the increasing influence of China in Nepal. The country’s Corruption Investigation Commission has filed a case against 55 Nepali officials and Chinese company CAMC Engineering, alleging massive irregularities in the construction of Pokhara International Airport. The Commission claims that more than 74 million US dollars (about 10 billion Nepali rupees) have been embezzled in this project. This is being considered as the biggest corruption case in the history of Nepal.
According to the commission, the project was bid for just $169.6 million in 2012, but the expenditure was later increased to $244 million. This additional amount was allegedly embezzled by the officials and the Chinese company together. Pokhara Airport was built on a huge loan from China’s Exim Bank. It is located in Pokhara, a major tourist city of Nepal, which is the main gateway to the Annapurna Trekking Route. Despite opening in January 2023, the airport has almost zero international flights and is incurring losses. This matter has raised questions on China’s aggressive economic policy in Nepal. Experts say that China is increasing political and economic influence in Nepal through its companies and loans. This matter has come to light at a time when dozens of people were killed in the massive mass movement against corruption in Nepal in September and the government had to resign. Now this case will be heard in the special court of Kathmandu, but in Nepal such big cases often remain pending for years. Just before the general elections to be held in March 2025, this matter has further heated up the political temperature. Opposition parties are preparing to use it as a weapon against pro-China leaders. Amid growing Chinese influence in Nepal and fear of debt trap, this issue may gain further momentum in the coming days.
