China Refutes Claims, Asserts Safety of Chinese Meat and Personal Data

German Public Broadcaster Warns Against Consuming Chinese Meat... US WSJ Recommends Disposable Phones in China
Chinese Basketball Star Yao Ming Appeals, Saying "It's Different" When You See It in China Yourself

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Organizing Committee of the '2022 Beijing Winter Olympics' has stepped up to counter rumors spread by Western media about China. Yao Ming, a Chinese basketball star and Winter Olympics ambassador, attended a Winter Olympics press briefing hosted by the China Public Diplomacy Association, stating that sports should serve as a bridge for communication and that visiting China in person would change people's perceptions of the country.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The state-run Global Times cited the Winter Olympics Organizing Committee's announcement on the 18th, reporting that Germany's public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) advised athletes not to eat local meats such as beef while in China.

Previously, the German Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) warned that consuming Chinese meat locally could lead to ingestion of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol is a growth promoter and a banned substance. It can be detected in doping tests. There have been past cases where athletes faced suspensions and other penalties due to clenbuterol detection.

In response, the Organizing Committee emphasized, "China strictly adheres to national standards regarding the breeding of edible animals and the use of medicines," assuring that the food provided to Winter Olympics athletes is absolutely safe.

The committee also claimed that communication security is safe. Regarding this, the Global Times reported that the U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently suggested the possibility of network surveillance in China during the Winter Olympics and recommended that their athletes use disposable or rental phones while in China.

The Organizing Committee criticized some Western media for exaggerating China's food issues and distorting China's Personal Information Protection Law by raising communication security concerns. They reiterated that China strictly complies with the Personal Information Protection Law and other related laws. They also urged Winter Olympics athletes to download and use the 'MY 2022' application (app). This app is available on Google, Apple, and Samsung stores, with all personal information encrypted and the privacy of overseas athletes fully guaranteed.

Photo by Global Times capture

Former NBA star and Chairman of the Chinese Basketball Association, Yang O-ming, also supported the Organizing Committee. Attending the Winter Olympics press briefing, he commented on the diplomatic boycott declared by some Western countries including the U.S., saying, "Sports are a bridge for communication," and "It takes time to address many issues on the bridge, and time will solve many problems."

Regarding criticisms from some Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics players about human rights issues in Xinjiang, he said, "People have the right to express their thoughts and opinions, but they must take responsibility for what they say." He added that if they come to China and see it firsthand, their perceptions would change. He also mentioned that his own experience of the U.S. was different from what he had read in books.

In Beijing, some voices are emerging, suggesting that regardless of the truth behind Western rumors, China should reflect on itself.

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