Winter Olympics: China Announces Consequences For Olympic Boycott

Several countries do not want to send government officials to the Winter Games in Beijing. The Chinese leadership speaks of wrongdoing to which they will react.

The Chinese leadership has threatened countries that had announced a diplomatic boycott for the 2022 Winter Olympics with consequences. The US, Australia, UK and Canada "will inevitably pay the price for their wrongdoing," said Beijing State Department spokesman Wang Wenbin. However, he did not name any concrete steps.

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The Olympic Winter Games are an important prestige project for the Chinese government. They will take place in Beijing from February 4th to 20th next year. The planned boycott - first announced by the US - stipulates that no government officials will travel to the games. Athletes, on the other hand, are allowed to participate.

The countries cited the human rights situation in China as the reason for the boycott . The People's Republic has been criticized for its dealings with Uyghurs and Tibetans as well as for the suppression of the democracy movement in Hong Kong and the threats against Taiwan.

Initially, the Chinese leadership had signaled that they did not mind the boycott of Western countries. Nobody cares whether Australian diplomats are traveling to Beijing for the Games, Foreign Office spokesman Wenbin said on Wednesday. Most recently, however, he denounced the "use of the Olympic platform for political manipulation" by the four states in front of journalists. Sport has nothing to do with politics, Wenbin said, calling the boycott of Great Britain and Canada "a farce". China has not issued any invitations to the two countries, nor to the USA. The Games would be a success even without representatives from these countries.

France refuses to participate in boycott

China is not afraid that other states will follow suit, Wenbin said. Numerous heads of state, heads of government and members of royal families have registered as visitors to the Winter Games and "we welcome them".

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Meanwhile, other countries are discussing how to deal with the boycott. The new Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has expressed himself cautiously on the question. You will consult in an international context and make decisions.

France, on the other hand, does not want to join, sport is a world of its own and must be protected from political influences, said Education and Sport Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer.

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