Nepal, Feb. 6 -- The visit of a Tibetan Buddhist leader to Kathmandu has drawn political attention and diplomatic concerns, with leaders from Nepal's major communist parties expressing concern that the episode could strain relations with China.

CPN-UML Vice Chair Ram Bahadur Thapa said a Chinese intellectual had published an article in the Chinese media outlet Dragon, issuing a warning to Nepal and the Nepali government. Thapa linked the concern to the recent visit of Kyabje Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche, who arrived in Kathmandu on January 29 as a representative of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Thapa said the Rinpoche was received with what he described as state-level protocol, including ...