US Intelligence Alliance 'Five Eyes' Considers Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The United States, along with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other members of the U.S. intelligence alliance known as the "Five Eyes," is considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled for February next year. A diplomatic boycott means sending athletes to the Olympics but not dispatching government officials, diplomats, or political figures as delegations.

Forbes reported on the 24th (local time) that "the U.S. government is already persuading key allies to take similar actions as the United States." The Five Eyes is an English-speaking intelligence-sharing alliance consisting of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It originated in 1946 when the U.S. and the U.K. signed an agreement to counter the Soviet Union and other communist countries during the Cold War.

China's state-run Global Times also reported that "the United Kingdom is discussing with other Five Eyes members, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the possibility of a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics."

In September, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee passed a bill expanding the countries eligible for U.S. intelligence sharing beyond the existing members to include South Korea, Japan, Germany, and India, thereby broadening the alliance's scope.

Amid escalating tensions between China and Australia, the Australian daily The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the same day that while the Australian government has not officially declared a diplomatic boycott, it is considering not sending a delegation to Beijing. The newspaper explained that the Australian government is watching the U.S. decision closely and is reviewing whether to officially participate in the diplomatic boycott.

According to Forbes, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis visited Washington, D.C. on the same day and argued that some level of coordination is necessary between European Union (EU) member states and the United States regarding the Beijing Winter Olympics. He added, "Honestly, I have not seen any diplomats or officials who are eager to go to China, and China does not seem to desire this either."

So far, the only national leader who has accepted the invitation to the Beijing Winter Olympics is Russian President Vladimir Putin. Forbes analyzed that the background of this diplomatic boycott includes "human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the recent disappearance of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, which have sparked intense international backlash against China."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.