China is constructing a safety wall on the Bhotekoshi River along its side of the Nepal-China international border as of 28 April 2026. The site is near border pillar number 53 in Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal.
Nepal-China Boundary Framework
The Nepal-China boundary is governed by a 1963 boundary protocol. The protocol requires prior notification for border constructions and prohibits unilateral changes to boundary rivers.
Location and Administrative Action
The District Administration Office, Sindhupalchowk, informed Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs about the construction about two weeks before 28 April 2026. The matter was then sent to the Foreign Ministry for diplomatic action.
River and Border Geography
The Bhotekoshi River flows in the Sindhupalchowk area near the Nepal-China border. Border pillar number 53 is one of the reference points used in the demarcation of the international boundary.
Concerns Raised by Nepal
Nepal has requested China to stop the construction immediately. Nepali officials have stated that the wall could alter the river’s course and affect the Nepali side of the border. Boundary rivers are natural watercourses that form part of an international frontier between two states. The Nepal-China boundary includes riverine stretches that are covered by bilateral protocols and border markers.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026