Chinese Foreign Ministry (MFA) spokesman Zhao Lijian called on the United States to abandon the politicization of sports and diplomatic boycotts of the upcoming Winter Olympics, or else he said China would take drastic countermeasures. This is stated on December 6 on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the United States.
According to a Foreign Ministry spokesman, the Olympic Games are not a stage for political show and political manipulation.
“American politicians continue to advertise, uninvited, a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. They seriously damage the spirit of the Olympic Charter and represent an overt political provocation, ”Zhao Lijian said at a press conference.
The representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry recalled that the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing are a grandiose event for the athletes of the Winter Olympics and ice sports fans around the world, and it is these people, not the administrations of states, that are the main characters.
According to Zhao Lijian, the international community, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), praised China’s preparations for the 2022 Olympics.
“We believe that, guided by the Olympic spirit and the joint efforts of all parties, we will be able to present the world with a simple, safe and exciting Olympic Games,” he said.
He argued that the United States should correct its attitude towards the Beijing Games, display an Olympic spirit of “greater unity”, take China’s concerns seriously and refrain from politicizing sports.
“If the US insists on its own, China will definitely take decisive countermeasures,” the Foreign Ministry spokesman concluded.
Earlier on Monday, it was reported that the Canadian authorities, following the United States, are studying the issue of a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
On December 6, the White House announced its decision to stage a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. It was noted that this step will not affect the participation of American athletes in the Games. The reason for the decision in Washington was called “the genocide in Xinjiang and other violations of human rights.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) noted that they respect the United States’ decision to boycott OI-2022 diplomatically. The representative of the organization also noted that the presence or absence of government officials and diplomats at the Games is a personal decision of each government.
The Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing from 4 to 20 February 2022.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
