Meanwhile, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have joined the US diplomatic boycott. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also mentioned human rights abuses in China. According to Trudeau, the Chinese government is well aware that Western countries have been interested in this for a long time. So it should come as no surprise that we have decided not to send a diplomatic mission.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed in Parliament yesterday that his government will not send a diplomatic mission to Beijing. Earlier today, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison did the same. She added that China had never responded to some of the Australian government’s concerns.
France has decided not to follow the model of the above countries for the time being. According to the French government, human rights violations must certainly be condemned, but they aim for a common European position on the matter. French President Macron said a diplomatic boycott, not a sports boycott, would be a “very small symbolic measure”. He says he does not want to politicize the matter but would prefer to work with the International Olympic Committee to ensure the safety of all athletes.
Germany’s new foreign minister, Annalena Barbock, also stressed the need for a common European response.
