Following the US, New Zealand also diplomatically boycotts Beijing Olympics..."Concerns over COVID-19 issues"

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister "Will Not Dispatch High-Level Government Delegation"
Emphasizes Not Due to US Decision... "For COVID-19 Related Safety Reasons"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The New Zealand government has declared that it will not send a high-level delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics, which opens in February next year. This announcement came shortly after the U.S. government's official declaration of a diplomatic boycott, and it is interpreted that U.S. influence played a role; however, the New Zealand government emphasized that the decision was due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, not U.S. pressure.

On the 7th, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson stated in an interview with the state broadcaster TVNZ, "We have decided not to send a high-level government delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics," adding, "There are various factors, but mainly safety concerns due to COVID-19 issues."

This statement came after the U.S. officially announced its diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and it is interpreted that New Zealand is joining the U.S. boycott policy. However, the New Zealand government insists that it is not due to U.S. pressure.

Deputy Prime Minister Robertson emphasized, "We have expressed concerns several times regarding China's human rights issues, and China is well aware of our views on human rights," adding, "We already notified China last month of the absence of a high-level delegation."

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki explained the background of the boycott during a regular briefing on the 6th (local time), saying, "We have decided not to contribute to the Olympic celebrations," citing China's human rights issues as the reason for the boycott. Psaki emphasized, "China must take measures regarding these issues to meet the demands of the international community."