LONDON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There will effectively be a British diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in China because no ministers or officials are due to attend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament.
The White House announced on Monday that US government officials will boycott the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing over China’s human rights “atrocities,” though the action allows American athletes to travel to compete.
Pressed by two different lawmakers in parliament if Britain would follow suit, Johnson said: “There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, no ministers are expected to attend and no officials.”
“I do not think that sporting boycotts are sensible and that remains the policy of the government,” he added.
The UK move comes after Australia on Wednesday also announced it would join the United States in a diplomatic boycott of the Games.
The allies have a growing discord with China over a slew of issues, including human rights abuses in Xinjiang and a crackdown on activists in Hong Kong. — NNN-AGENCIES
