Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

No one would mind individual politicians' attending the upcoming Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson said on Monday in response to the so-called boycott of the event from some individual countries. 

Protagonists of the Beijing Winter Olympics are athletes from various countries not individual politicians. Those politicians who brag about the so-called boycott are simply doing it for their own political gains and attention. Whether they come or not is in the interest of no one, and will have no influence on Beijing holding a successful Olympics, Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson from the foreign ministry, said. 

Zhao made the remarks when asked to comment on the recent statement from Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Australia was considering a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Based on the rules, whether a politician will attend the Olympics lies on whether the Olympic council of the host country invites them, Zhao said. 

Reports said the Biden administration will announce whether the US will adopt a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Fumio Kishida's administration, Japan, also faces pressure from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to consider a boycott.

Zhao said China, as the host country of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, never had plans to invite US politicians, but their frequently hyped "boycott" is nothing but a self-deception and flubdub.

Political manipulation is harmful to the spirit of the Olympic Charter, a blatant political provocation is also a serious affront to the 1.4 billion Chinese people. It will only make the Chinese people and people around the world see through the anti-China nature and hypocrisy of US politicians, Zhao noted.

The preparations for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games have entered the final countdown stage. Foreign athletes, including a large number from the US and Japan, are eagerly looking forward to competing in China. We believe that under the guidance of the Olympic spirit and with the joint efforts of all, we will be able to present a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic Games to the world, he said. 

The US should correct their attitude and stop politicalizing sports and hyping their so-called boycott to avoid affecting communication of the two countries in key fields. 

If the US goes its own way, China will adopt resolute countermeasures, Zhao noted. 

Global Times