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US to hold diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics

Millsy & Karl
Article image for US to hold diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics

The US won’t send any government officials to the Winter Olympic Games held in Beijing next year, the White House has confirmed.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said “egregious human rights abuses” committed by the Chinese government meant that the US could not contribute to the “fanfare of the games”.

She added that US athletes will however still be free to participate in the Games, with the “full support” of the government.

China has vowed to retaliate with “firm countermeasures”.

Director at the Australian Policy Strategic Institute Michael Shoebridge told Gareth Parker the boycott sends a “powerful, symbolic message not just to Beijing, but to the wider world”.

“The importance of the Winter Olympics to Beijing … it’s really a symbolic statement that (Chinese President) Xi Jinping wants to be able to make to his own people about how despite any problems, regardless of all that, the world’s leaders must come to Beijing, and must be seen to celebrate Beijing’s hosting of this Games.

“And that looks like that’s not going to be what he gets.”

Press PLAY to hear the full interview below 

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Millsy & Karl
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