SYDNEY, 8 December 2021 (AFP) – Australia will not send an official representative for the next Olympic Winter Games in Beijing-2022, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday (Tuesday, 7th in Brazil) involving the United States. Diplomatic boycott this event.
“Australia will not deviate from its firm stand in defending Australia’s interests and it is clearly no surprise that we will not be sending Australian representatives to these Games,” said Morrison, whose government maintains strong tensions with Beijing. Is.
The prime minister explained the decision to “disagree” with China on a number of issues, including Australian law against foreign interference and the recent purchase of nuclear-powered submarines.
Thus, Australia is following in the footsteps of the United States, which on Monday announced a boycott of the Beijing Games, prompting outrage from the Chinese authorities.
The action does not affect the competition, nor does it preclude the participation of athletes from these countries.
Washington justified its decision on the human rights situation in the country, particularly in the Xinjiang region, where they guarantee that “genocide” against the Uighur minority is taking place.
Morrison also cited human rights violations in Xinjiang and Beijing’s reluctance to meet with Australian officials as reasons for his decision.
Over the past two years, China has imposed a series of restrictions on the import of Australian goods amid an intense political dispute that halted ministerial contact between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Australia is seeking legislation against foreign influence to veto Huawei from 5G contracts and has called for independent intervention at the source of the coronavirus pandemic.
It recently signed a significant military alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom, which will equip Canberra with American nuclear-powered submarines.
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