U.S. to declare diplomatic boycott of the Olympics in China 

On Monday, the U.S. declared a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing due to human rights violations. It was a move that had accumulated bipartisan support from critics and analysts of the human rights record in China.

President Joe Biden’s administration does not plan to send any official representation to the Olympics, while the U.S. athletes will still participate. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, told reporters that the decision of the White House resulted from China’s continuous genocide and violations against humanity and human rights abuses in Xinjiang and other provinces.

Overview

Psaki referred to China’s reported operation of Uighur Muslims declared a genocide by the administration of Biden and former President Donald Trump.

Psaki said that the U.S. athletes have their full support. But U.S. diplomatic or official representation will not contribute to the games’ fanfare. She said that the U.S. diplomatic representation could not tolerate extreme human rights abuses and crimes in Xinjiang.

She also said that they would proceed to take action to improve human rights in China and elsewhere.

Earlier on Monday, Zhao Lijian, China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman, criticized this expected move. According to a translation of his comments, he said it is a parody of the Olympic spirit. He stated this move is a political provocation and an offense to the Chinese people.

Zhao added that if the U.S. keeps its position, China will take strict and necessary countermeasures.

Dozens of countries, including the U.S., condemned the Chinese government over its actions in Xinjiang. They also criticize its crackdown against pro-democracy protesters in 2019 and 2020 in Hong Kong.

Recently, Beijing seemed suspicious regarding the disappearance of Peng Shuai (tennis star). She disappeared after openly accusing the Chinese Communist Party’s former senior official of sexual assault.

Last week, the Women’s Tennis Association stated it would cancel tournaments in China because of concerns over the safety of treatment of Peng Shuai and other members.