Mount Everest is one of the Olympic Torch relay points as the torch slowly makes its way to Beijing, China, where the 2008 Summer Olympics will take place in August. The Mount Everest part of the Olympic Torch relay is set to take part in the early part of May. The issue of Tibet has been one of the many issues that looms over China as what could be perceived as a possible PR nightmare as it hosts the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Nepal is preparing to prevent possible damage to ties with the country and China. Various points of the Olympic Torch relay across the world were interrupted by Pro-Tibet independent protesters and other human rights activists.
On Nepal’s part, it is very understandable. According to BBC, Nepal depends on China for both diplomatic support and foreign aid. In short, alienating China would not be good for Nepal’s government. Nepal is planning to take actions to prevent ties with China from being destroyed.
Nepal is ready to exercise non-violent methods to stop the protests. However, the use of force is not out of the question. But, Nepal’s government did no specify whether for force used would be lethal or non-lethal. That factor is unknown.
But this would not be surprising. Nepal’s police and military have resulted to force to break the wave after wave of protests against China’s rule of Tibet. In short, Nepal is giving all protesters a forewarning.