US Boycott Movement Met with China Saying "Beijing Winter Olympics Is Not a Stage for Political Manipulation"

In Beijing, the capital of China, just over two months before the Winter Olympics, residents in lockdown areas are undergoing COVID-19 nucleic acid testing at a temporary testing site on the 11th to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). According to the National Health Commission of China, since the 17th of last month, local infections have spread to major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, with the cumulative number of confirmed cases exceeding 1,000. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed discomfort regarding Western countries, including the United States, considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February next year, stating, "The Beijing Winter Olympics is not a stage for political shows or political manipulation."

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 29th, "The success of the event does not depend on the attendance of officials from individual countries."

Spokesperson Wang emphasized, "We hope individual countries properly position themselves," adding that government officials' participation in the Olympics is "by invitation from the host country's Olympic Committee according to the rules."

He criticized linking Olympic attendance to so-called human rights issues as an act that undermines the dignity of others and politicizes sports, saying it clearly violates the principle of political neutrality in sports and will face resolute opposition.

He stated, "The preparations for the event are now in the final countdown," emphasizing that they will present the world with a simple, safe, and splendid Olympics.

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