Beijing-Sana
China called on the United States to stop its attempts to politicize sports and to undo the escalation of what it called a "diplomatic boycott" of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, or else the latter would take countermeasures.
In response to a question about the Joe Biden administration's plan to declare a "diplomatic boycott" this week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference today, Xinhua. "The United States should take China's concerns seriously and refrain from politicizing sports." And stop escalating the so-called “diplomatic boycott” of the Winter Games in order to avoid a negative impact on dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in important areas.
Zhao stressed that the Winter Olympics are not the scene of artificiality and political manipulation, adding that US politicians' continued escalation of the so-called "political boycott" despite not being invited to the Beijing Winter Olympics violates the Olympic Charter, offends the Chinese people, and is purely political provocation.
Responding to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's comments that Australia is also considering a "diplomatic boycott" of the Games, Zhao said athletes around the world should be the focus of the Winter Olympics, not politicians.
"Those politicians who are vocal about the boycott are pursuing their own political interests and nobody cares whether they come or not, and this will not affect Beijing's successful hosting of the Winter Olympics," the spokesman added.
