Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked about the Biden administration's plan of announcing a so-called "diplomatic boycott" this week.
"The United States should take China's concerns seriously, refrain from politicizing sports, and stop hyping up the so-called 'diplomatic boycott' of the Beijing Winter Olympics, so as to avoid affecting dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in important areas," he said.
The Winter Olympics is not a stage for political posturing and manipulation, Zhao stressed, adding that American politicians' constant hyping of "diplomatic boycott", despite not being invited to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, violates the Olympic Charter, offends the Chinese people, and is pure political provocation.
In response to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's remarks that Australia is considering the issue of "diplomatic boycott" of Beijing Winter Olympics, Zhao said it is the athletes around the world who should be in the spotlight of the Beijing Winter Olympics, not politicians.
"Those politicians clamoring 'boycott' are pursuing their own political interests. No one cares whether they come or not, and it would not affect Beijing's successful hosting of the Winter Olympics," he added.
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) understands the decision made by the US officials to boycott the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing, Agence France-Presse stated referring to the IOC spokesperson.
ReplyDeleteOn Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the US decided to stage a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Games.
"The presence of government officials and diplomats is a purely political decision for each government, which the IOC in its political neutrality fully respects," the IOC spokesperson noted.
The Beijing Olympics will take place from February 4 to 20, 2022.
The US decided to diplomatically boycott the upcoming Olympic Games in China, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced Monday.
Delete"The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games," the spokeswoman said, noting that this decision does not cover US athletes who will be free to travel to compete in Beijing. She added that Team USA has the administration’s "full support," and that the administration will root for them at home.
TASS