China said it hopes Nepal can restore order soon after deadly protests led by disaffected Gen Z erupted and brought down the government. The parliament and other official buildings were torched, along with the homes of political leaders.

Why It Matters

Nepal is a Himalayan buffer state between the geopolitical rivals China and India and is of strategic and economic significance to both powers.

What To Know

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed hopes for all sides in Nepal to address their problems and restore stability.

“China and Nepal are traditionally friendly neighbors,” Lin said, according to the Global Times, a state-run news publication that paraphrased his remarks made on Wednesday, September 10.

“Lin expressed hope that all parties in Nepal can properly address domestic issues, and restore social order and national stability as soon as possible,” Global Times reported.

Lin also noted that “China has reminded Chinese nationals in Nepal to pay attention to their safety,” the report said.

Soldiers patrolled the streets of the capital, Kathmandu, on Wednesday and ordered people to stay at home as they enforced a nationwide curfew after two days of the most violent protests in Nepal in years, triggered on Monday by a government ban on social media.

Tens of thousands of protesters, most of them young people infuriated by what they see as government corruption and its failure to provide them with any opportunities, stormed and set fire to government buildings and attacked politicians.

On Monday, demonstrations gripped Kathmandu and police opened fire on the crowds, killing at least 19 people. Protesters returned to the streets on Tuesday, despite the government lifting the ban on social media and the later resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

The wife of former Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal died on Tuesday from burns after her home was set on fire, media reported, and videos shared on social media showed protesters beating Nepali Congress party leader Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife, Arzu Rana Deuba, the current foreign minister.

Both appeared to be bleeding. One video showed the party leader being helped to safety. The party is the country’s largest and is part of the ruling coalition.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the violence was “heart-wrenching” and he appealed to the people of Nepal to restore normalcy in their country, Indian media reported.

What People Are Saying

Modi, as quoted by The Hindu newspaper, said on Tuesday: “My heart is extremely disturbed by the fact that many young people have lost their lives. Nepal’s stability, peace and prosperity are of utmost importance.”

Nepal’s army said in a statement carried by domestic media on Wednesday: “Some groups are taking undue advantage of the difficult situation and causing severe damage to ordinary citizens and public property”.

What Happens Next

The army said a nationwide curfew would remain in force until Thursday morning.

Reporting by The Associated Press contributed to this article.