Anti-Chinese forces cause turmoil ahead of Beijing Olympics

A Chinese flag flies near the Olympic rings on the Olympic Tower in Beijing, China on November 11, 2021. REUTERS / Carlos Garcia Rawlins / File Photo

SHANGHAI, Nov. 23 (Reuters) – The Beijing Winter Olympics next year will be a “rite of passage” for China to become a mature great power, the state-backed Global Times said on Tuesday in a report. editorial, alleging that anti-Chinese forces were trying to stir up trouble.

Referring to comments made by the United States that it may consider a diplomatic boycott of the games in February to protest China’s human rights practices, the Global Times said it was “not worthy “that China is spending energy on the matter, or” even an attempt to reverse their negative thoughts towards China. “

“Ideological conflicts between China and the West will intensify ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, as anti-Chinese forces converge to stir up trouble in China,” said the Global Times, which is published by People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the ruling Communist Party in China.

“This event will not only be a comprehensive stress test for China’s ability to respond to various crises, but also a catalyst for the growth of China’s mentality as a great power.”

Human rights groups called for a boycott of the Games in February because of China’s human rights record. Last week, US President Joe Biden said last week that he was considering a diplomatic boycott, which would mean US officials would not attend the opening of the Games. Read more

A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that no decision had yet been made on who would represent the government at the Beijing Winter Olympics, although he did not support the idea of sports boycotts. Read more

Governments usually send a delegation of high-ranking diplomats to the opening ceremonies as a sign of international support. The 2022 Winter Olympics will take place from February 4 to 20.

The case of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, whose whereabouts have become of international concern in recent weeks after posting a social media post alleging that former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli sexually assaulted her , has also cast a shadow over the approaching games. Read more

Peng reappeared in Beijing over the weekend and held a video call with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, but the Women’s Tennis Association and French government officials said they still had concerns for her well- to be.

Reporting by Brenda Goh Editing by Shri Navaratnam

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