US announces diplomatic boycott of forthcoming Beijing Winter Olympics

The Biden administration has announced that it will not send government officials to the Winter Olympics in China in February 2022. The White House confirmed last Monday (6 December) that no US government officials and high-ranking diplomats will be present in China during the Olympics.

Both Democrats and the Republicans in Congress have previously urged a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics, partly due to human rights abuses against the country's Uyghur minority in Northwest China. American athletes participating in the Olympics will receive the government's full support. 

The opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics is scheduled for 4 February and the closing ceremony will take place on 20 February 2022.

In mid-November, US President Joe Biden said he was considering a diplomatic boycott. Australia and the United Kingdom are also considering keeping their government representatives at home. Governments usually send an extensive delegation of high-ranking diplomats to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. 

China has already announced that it will retaliate against a boycott. The absence of an official delegation is a "downright political provocation", said Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Zhao Lijian, who did not elaborate on the possible retaliatory actions.

 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: The logo of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Reuters

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

Israel’s isolation is increasing as twenty eight countries including the United Kingdom and a majority of Member States of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday 21 July saying the war in Gaza “must end now” and condemning Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid. The foreign ministers of countries, also including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Japan, said “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. human rights office.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

UK, Canada and majority of EU Member States condemn Israel for ‘inhumane killing’ and say the war in Gaza ‘must end now’.

Israel’s isolation is increasing as twenty eight countries including the United Kingdom and a majority of Member States of the European Union issued a joint statement on Monday 21 July saying the war in Gaza “must end now” and condemning Israel over 'inhumane killing' of Gaza civilians seeking aid. The foreign ministers of countries, also including Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Japan, said “the suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” The statement described as “horrifying” the recent deaths of over 800 Palestinians who were seeking aid, according to the figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry and the U.N. human rights office.