Calls for a diplomatic boycott in China for the 2022 Winter Games have multiplied in several countries, including the United States, which was the first to take this decision on December 6, 2021. The White House had explained this choice due to the “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang” last month. This boycott has no direct impact for the athletes, who will be able to defend their chances during the competition.
The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Lithuania have, in the process, announced that they would not send a diplomatic representative to China either. Organizer of the Summer Olympics last year, Japan has also given up sending members of its government to Beijing. “It is important that the common values shared by the international community, such as freedom, human rights and the rule of law, are also respected in China,” Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu said. Matsuno.
No boycott for France, Italy and Russia
Denmark and the Netherlands, two other countries of the European Union after Lithuania, have come out in favor of a diplomatic boycott: Copenhagen to denounce the human rights situation in the country, Amsterdam mainly because of the situation current epidemic. China firmly condemns the decisions taken by these nations, of which France is not a part.
The Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports, Jean-Michel Blanquer, announced on December 9 that there would be “no diplomatic boycott of France”. Even if he does not travel to Beijing, Roxana Maracineanu, the Minister for Sports, will go to the Chinese captain for these Olympic Games. Italy, which will host the next Winter Olympics in 2026, as well as Russia, have also made it known that they do not intend to join this protest movement.
