U.S. politicians should stop calling for a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics to avoid hurting bilateral ties and China will take “countermeasures” if necessary, China’s foreign ministry said on Monday.
The Biden administration is expected to announce this week that U.S. government officials will not attend the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, CNN reported on Sunday.
Those calling for a boycott are “grandstanding” and should stop “so as not to affect the dialogue and cooperation between China and the United States in important areas,” said Zhao Lijian, China’s foreign ministry spokesman.
“If the U.S. insists in wilfully clinging to its course, China will take resolute countermeasures,” he said at a news conference.
U.S. President Joe Biden said last month that he was considering such a diplomatic boycott to protest China’s human rights record, including what Washington says is genocide against minority Muslims. The administration has been under pressure from activists and members of Congress to skip the games.
The White House declined to comment on CNN’s report on Sunday. Four sources with knowledge of the administration’s thinking previously told Reuters that there was a growing consensus within the White House to keep U.S. officials away from the Beijing Olympics.
CNN said the U.S. boycott would not prevent its athletes from competing in the games.
The State Department did not respond to questions about the report late Sunday.
French champions exploring ‘alternative options’ after Paris mayor says Parc des Princes is not for… Read More
Manchester United and Manchester City will clash this Saturday but who has spent more over… Read More
Nathan Jones: "I don't know if I changed perceptions. Within 10 minutes of the Brighton… Read More
Man Utd beat League One side Charlton 3-0 at Old Trafford to reach the Carabao… Read More
FA Cup fourth round could see Arsenal away to Manchester City; Gunners must beat Oxford… Read More
Arsenal are left frustrated by Newcastle's superb defence; Mikel Arteta's team are now eight points… Read More