UK joins USA and Australia in 'diplomatic boycott' of Beijing Olympics

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday Britain would diplomatically boycott the Winter Olympics being held in Beijing early next year by not sending any ministers to the global event.

"There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing," Johnson told MPs when asked about the issue in parliament, adding no government ministers "are expected to attend".

The United States has also announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics to protest China's human rights record, particularly its handling of Muslim minorities that Washington considers a form of genocide.

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Here's what the move means. Under the boycott, the Biden administration will not send any US diplomatic or official governmental representatives to the Games.

Olympic hosts have traditionally basked in the global attention, which often includes visits by foreign leaders or officials.

US President George W. Bush, for example, cheered on Team USA during the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.

Australia will not send officials to the upcoming winter Olympics in Beijing too, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Wednesday, joining a US diplomatic boycott of the event.

Canberra's decision comes amid "disagreement" with China over a slew of issues, from Australia's foreign interference laws to a recent decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, Morrison said.

He also cited human rights abuses in the Xinjiang region and Beijing's ongoing freeze on ministerial contact with Canberra.

"Australia will not step back from the strong position we've had standing up for Australia's interests, and obviously it is of no surprise that we wouldn't be sending Australian officials to those Games," he said.

The decision, which stopped short of preventing athletes from attending the 2022 Olympics, comes a day after the United States announced its diplomatic boycott.

© Agence France-Presse