China threatened the United States over their diplomatic boycott against the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced Monday that U.S. diplomats would not be attending the Olympics over China’s “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, and other human rights abuses.”
On Tuesday, China accused the U.S. of acting contrary to the spirit of the Olympics.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said to reporters that the U.S. was interfering with the competition “out of ideological prejudice and based on lies and rumors.”
Zhao added that the boycott “seriously violates the principle of political neutrality of sports established by the Olympic Charter and runs counter to the Olympic motto ‘more united.'”
He also said that China would respond with “resolute countermeasures,” but did not offer any details.
“The U.S. will pay a price for its practices,” Zhao added. “You may stay tuned for follow-ups.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia said Wednesday that they would also keep their diplomats from attending the Olympics in Beijing.
Others, like Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, criticized the Biden administration for not going far enough to oppose the Beijing Olympics.
“The President has once again opted for a half measure, when bold leadership was required,” wrote Cotton said in a statement Monday.
“The United States should fully boycott the Genocide Games in Beijing,” he added. “American businesses should not financially support the Chinese Communist Party and we must not expose Team USA to the dangers of a repugnant authoritarian regime that disappears its own athletes.”
On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they would also join the diplomatic boycott.
The Winter Olympics in Beijing are scheduled to commence in February 2022.
Here’s more about the Beijing Olympics controversy:
China threatens retaliation against US diplomatic boycott of Olympic games www.youtube.com