Beijing-Sana
China confirmed that the United States' decision to so-called "diplomatic boycott" of the Winter Olympics in Beijing is "politicised" and reflects Washington's Cold War mentality.
"The Winter Games in Beijing constitute a gathering of all athletes and fans from around the world, and these are the ones who should be focused," Xinhua news agency quoted a spokesman for the Chinese mission to the United Nations as saying in a statement, noting that the success of the Games does not depend on the presence of a handful of officials from some countries.
He added that the US administration's decision to so-called "diplomatic boycott" constitutes a political farce and reflects the Cold War mentality that it adopts and its desire to politicize sports, create divisions and provoke confrontation, and this approach will not find support and is doomed to failure.
The spokesman added, "China, as the host country of the tournament, is fully prepared to hold its events and its doors are open to all athletes and guests. As for those who say they do not want to come, our answer is whether you come or not, the Winter Games will be held and will be successful."
In turn, commenting on the US decision, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Xiao Lijiang warned that “the United States will pay the price for its bad step,” noting that “the American effort to interfere in the Olympics out of ideological discrimination and building lies and rumors only reveal the malicious intentions of the United States.”
Lijiang stressed that the Winter Olympics are not a stage for political manipulation, accusing the United States of taking steps that would "interfere with and undermine the Beijing Winter Olympics."
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