US May Boycott Beijing Winter Olympics... "Final Decision Not Yet Made"

White House Spokesperson Shifts Stance from No Changes Earlier This Month to Under Review

Chinese President Xi Jinping is inspecting the preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics on the 18th of last month. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] It has been revealed that the U.S. government is considering the possibility of not participating in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a regular briefing on the 25th (local time) in response to a question about participation in the Beijing Olympics, "No final decision has been made," adding, "Of course, we will seek guidance from the United States Olympic Committee."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

This statement differs from Psaki’s remark earlier this month that "there are no plans to change participation in the Beijing Winter Olympics," sparking interest among U.S. media.

The remarks have led to the perception that the Biden administration is reviewing its response to China and has placed the possibility of boycotting the Beijing Winter Olympics on the table.

Recently, pressure for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics has been spreading in U.S. political circles. A resolution to withdraw from the Beijing Winter Olympics, introduced by Senator Rick Scott, was co-sponsored by six Republican lawmakers. The lawmakers pointed out China’s suppression of democracy and human rights violations in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, urging withdrawal from the Olympics.

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley also argued in an op-ed that "the Beijing Winter Olympics will follow the path of the Berlin Olympics, which became a propaganda tool for the Nazis," and insisted that President Biden should decide to boycott.

On the other hand, the Chinese government is focusing on raising the Olympic atmosphere, with President Xi Jinping visiting the Olympic venues as the Beijing Winter Olympics approaches its one-year mark.