/ 09 December 2021

Australia & UK join diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

Image source: Getty
Image source: Getty

THE SQUIZ

Australian officials and politicians won’t attend the Winter Olympics in Beijing next February in the latest sign of our strained relationship with China. It follows America’s decision earlier this week to send athletes, but not officials to the Games, citing China’s human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims. The UK has also announced that it will join its AUKUS allies and only send its athletes to Beijing.  PM Scott Morrison said it should come as no surprise and “I’m doing this because it’s in Australia’s national interest, it’s the right thing to do, full stop.” China’s response might not come as a surprise, either… Its embassy in Canberra accused Oz of “political posturing” and suggested that diplomatic representatives weren’t necessarily invited, anyway.

THERE’S A BIT GOING ON HERE, RIGHT?

There sure is. First, it’s unclear how many Aussie officials were going to the Games in the first place – for example, New Zealand isn’t sending ministerial officials citing concerns about the pandemic. But by making the diplomatic boycott formal, we’re locking in with the US and publicly marking our disapproval of China. As we’ve talked about a lot in the last what feels like a million years, Oz and China have lost their relationship mojo, and critics of Morrison’s move say the boycott risks putting our biggest trading partner even more offside. But Morrison says Beijing’s own diplomatic freeze on Australia has led to this outcome because Australia has been unable to raise its concerns about human rights directly with Chinese leaders.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Our athletes are going to the Games where it’s hoped we maintain/improve on the 3 medals we’ve won at each of the last 3 Winter Olympics. The Australian Olympic Committee says it’s not affected by the boycott. “Getting athletes to Beijing safely, competing … and bringing them home safely remains our greatest challenge,” said CEO Matt Carroll. But there are 2 things to watch out for. First, Canada is said to be weighing up joining the diplomatic boycott. And second, commentators say it’s unclear if/how the Aussie Government’s move will affect 2 Australians in jail in China. Pro-democracy writer Yang Hengjun has denied charges of spying and says he’s been tortured. And journalist Cheng Lei has been held without charge since August 2020. It certainly won’t help their causes…

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