Chief Director of China Foundation for Rural Development Deported from Nepal Over Visa Violation

Zou Zhiqiang, the Chief Director of the China Foundation for Rural Development, involved in earthquake relief efforts in Jajarkot, has been deported from Nepal after it was revealed that she had overstayed her visa.

Zou Zhiqiang, a key figure in the Chinese organization, was found to be in Nepal without an extended visa, leading to her deportation along with a fine of Rs 15,000 under the Immigration Act.

The Immigration Department had alerted the Ministry of Home Affairs on December 28 about Zou’s visa violation. The department’s letter highlighted that Zou had exceeded her permitted stay, prompting a request to the Ministry to take necessary action to prevent her re-entry into Nepal within the current visa year.

In response to the letter, the Ministry of Home Affairs decided to expel Zou Zhiqiang, a Chinese citizen, for violating visa regulations. The decision, made on December 2, 2023, was aimed at enforcing immigration procedures and ensuring compliance with the law.

Rudrasinh Tamang, the Director General of the Immigration Department, emphasized that foreign citizens overstaying their visas would be deported in a manner that prevents them from re-entering Nepal within the visa year.

Zou Zhiqiang had faced an assault on December 6, 2023, while delivering relief materials to earthquake victims in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim. The incident sparked further controversy, leading the Maoist Center to seek an explanation from Gorkha Bahadur KC, an alternative central member of the party.

In response, KC accused the party’s General Secretary, Dev Gurung, of abusing power and engaging in irregularities in relief material distribution through his relatives’ organizations. KC called for a thorough investigation by both the party and the government into the matter.

The deportation of Zou Zhiqiang underlines the commitment of Nepalese authorities to uphold immigration regulations and maintain order within the country’s borders.