Mass protests in Nepal toppled Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in just three days after his government imposed sweeping internet restrictions modeled on China’s Great Firewall.
On August 28, the government ordered all foreign social media platforms to register locally within a week and appoint compliance officers. The plan was developed with strong input from Beijing: Oli had visited China in December 2024 and again from August 30 to September 3 this year; a task force from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) Cyberspace Administration flew to Kathmandu; Huawei and ZTE provided equipment; and Chinese think tanks drafted strategies for controlling online opinion. Nepal was ready to move the CCP’s “Digital Silk Road” final stage – asserting control over the internet.
When the ban took effect on September 4, 26 major platforms – including Facebook, YouTube, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, Reddit, and LinkedIn – were abruptly blocked. The crackdown sparked immediate backlash, as Nepalis realized they had lost not only access to the internet but also their ability to express views and connect with the world.
University students, professionals, and young people led the demonstrations, chanting: “We are not Chinese! Nepal is not Beijing’s testing ground! Get out of our internet!” Within 48 hours, the anti-blockade protests had escalated into a nationwide uprising against Chinese-style internet control, forcing Oli’s resignation. Source: Secret China, September 12, 2025
https://www.secretchina.com/news/b5/2025/09/12/1087993.html