Australia and New Zealand have joined the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the decision was in response to “human rights abuses” in China’s Xinjiang province and “many other issues that Australia has consistently raised”.
Athletes would still attend, he added.
Australia’s announcement comes as New Zealand declares it will not be sending diplomatic representatives either.
NZ’s Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said no representatives at a ministerial level will be sent to the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, citing COVID-19 as the reason.
Scott Morrison confirms Australian boycott of Beijing games. / Image: File
China has condemned the US announcement and threatened to retaliate against the move but didn’t provide further details
On Monday, the US said it would not send diplomats to the Games in Beijing over concerns about China’s human rights record.
Australia’s PM said it was “no surprise” that Australia had joined the boycott, given relations with China had deteriorated in recent years, at a rapid pace.
“I’m doing it because it’s in Australia’s national interest,” he said on Wednesday.
Beijing 2022 / Image: File
“It’s the right thing to do.”
He accused China of rejecting opportunities to improve relations, insisting Australia remained open to bilateral talks.
At a media briefing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused the US of violating “political neutrality in sport” and said the proposed boycott was “based on lies and rumours”.
The United States has accused China of genocide in its repression of the predominantly Muslim Uyghur minority in the western region of Xinjiang – an allegation China has strongly denied.
Relations are also strained over China’s suppression of political freedoms in Hong Kong, and because of concerns for the Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, who was not seen for weeks after she accused a top government official of assault.
Tensions with China continue to escalate / Image: File
Canberra has increasingly come to view China as a security threat amid allegations that Beijing has interfered in Australian politics and society
It has also raised concerns over two Australian citizens who remain imprisoned in China.
Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.
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Seth Schachner, the Managing Director at StratAmericas and a former Sony Music Executive joins Veronica Dudo to discuss. #Spotify #music #Apple #AppleMusic #SpotifyWrapped #streaming #featured #IN AMERICA TODAY
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