Let’s not politicise 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

THE EDITOR, Madam:

We write with reference to an Associated Press article titled Beijing Olympics get “gold for repression” in labour report reprinted by The Gleaner. The article is full of false accusations against and vicious slanders on China, and is thus a fake news.

In their G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration, the Heads of State and Government said: “We look ahead to Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022, as opportunities for competition for athletes from around the world, which serves as a symbol of humanity’s resilience.” These words couldn’t be incorporated into the declaration if any of those alleged abuses mentioned in the article ever exists.

Not only the G20 members but many other countries, including Jamaica, have expressed their support for 2022 Beijing Olympics and are looking forward to its convening as it is a grand event for all countries and is expected to boost global confidence in defeating the COVID-19. China is working together with the International Olympic Committee and the international community to deliver a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic event. It is indeed unfair and shameful for a handful of people to smear the Beijing Olympics as so many people from different circles of life have been working very hard for its preparations, and the passion and dream of people around the world for the Olympics have been ignited. We must say no to the politicisation of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

China always puts its people first, applying the principle of universality of human rights in the context of the national conditions.. China’s success in pioneering human rights is unique and readily apparent. The alleged abuses mentioned in the article, such as the so-called forced labour, repression of ethnic and religious minorities are totally nonsense and fictitious, and are actually interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

Regarding the media access for Beijing Olympics, China has adopted an open attitude in hosting the 2022 Beijing Olympics and welcomed media from all countries to follow and cover it ever since the preparations began. The Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee has also briefed media on preparation work via media salons, news conferences and other means so as to provide better services for media. More than 2,500 reporters and photographers have so far submitted applications to register. China will ensure journalists have freedom of coverage in accordance with the host city agreement and China’s relevant policies, and will always facilitate and help foreign journalists in news reporting in China. Meanwhile, China firmly opposes the politicisation of sports, strong ideological bias against China, and the fabrication of fake news and misinformation under the pretext of news freedom to distort and slander China and the Beijing Olympics.

A series of test events and training camps have begun in Yanqing District of Beijing and Zhangjiakou of Hebei Province, three major competition zones, and will last until the end of the year in preparation for February’s Games. As long as we keep unity and work together, we will ensure the success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics for the sake of everybody and for the sake of keeping the light of hope bright for the world.

EMBASSY OF CHINA IN JAMAICA