China Strongly Opposes US Olympic Diplomatic Boycott and Will Take Countermeasures

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] In response to the United States declaring a "diplomatic boycott" (not sending a government delegation) of the Winter Olympics to be held in Beijing, China from February 4 to 20 next year due to human rights issues, China stated that it "expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the U.S. side."

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 7th, "We have lodged a stern representation (protest) with the United States and will take resolute countermeasures going forward."

Spokesperson Zhao warned, "The United States must stop politicizing sports and destroying the Winter Olympics," adding, "Otherwise, it will harm dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in a series of important fields as well as on international and regional issues."

When asked what measures would be taken, he replied, "The United States will pay the price for its wrongful actions in the future," and said, "Everyone should watch closely."

Regarding whether there will be a diplomatic boycott of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA, he said, "The United States' wrongful actions have already broken the foundation and atmosphere of Sino-American sports exchanges and Olympic cooperation," and added, "The United States must properly recognize the consequences of these wrongful actions."

Spokesperson Zhao condemned, "The crimes committed by the United States against Native Americans are the true genocide," and said, "The U.S. decision seriously violates the principle of political neutrality in sports established by the Olympics."

He stated that according to Olympic rules, officials from each country must be invited by their respective National Olympic Committees to attend the Winter Olympics, and criticized, "Linking the dispatch of government officials by the United States, which has not been invited, to the Xinjiang human rights issue is completely a reversal of black and white and adding wrong to wrong."

Earlier, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States, also responded via an email statement after the U.S. government’s decision, calling it a "hypocritical act" and "a political manipulation that will have no impact on the successful hosting of the Olympics."

Spokesperson Liu claimed, "In fact, no one cares whether these people come or not," and "It will have no effect on the successful holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics."

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki formalized the diplomatic boycott policy during a briefing on the 6th (local time), stating, "The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official delegation to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics in light of China’s ongoing genocide, crimes against humanity, and other human rights abuses in Xinjiang."