The US has announced it will diplomatically boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki cited China's 'ongoing genocide' and their 'crimes against humanity' as the reason not to send and dignitaries or officials from the American government over for the Games.
There are usually a few representatives sent from each country alongside the athletes for each Olympic Games, however the US wants to show China they mean business.
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Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the move was in response to Chinese human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where China is accused of keeping Uyghur people in concentration camps.
The first independent, non-governmental investigation claimed the Chinese government is causing 'an ongoing genocide against the Uyghur' and is 'in breach of the UN Genocide Convention'.
It's believed as many as two million Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups have been forced into detention centres all over Xinjiang, a massive region in the country's far west.
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There are allegations the detainees there have been sexually, physically and mentally abused, and forced to renounce Islam and adopt a Chinese lifestyle.
Ms Psaki said the diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics is justified and the athletes still have the government's full support to compete.
"US diplomatic or official representation would treat these games as business as usual in the face of the PRC's egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang, and we simply can't do that," she told reporters at a White House press briefing.
"We have a fundamental commitment to promoting human rights. And we feel strongly in our position and we will continue to take actions to advance human rights in China and beyond," Psaki added.
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When asked whether any US allies have been encouraged to follow suit she explained that 'we will leave it to them to make their own decisions'.
There have been rumblings Australia could mimic America after diplomacy with China stalled during 2021.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already hit back against the move.
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Spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a statement: "The Winter Olympics is not a stage for political show and political manipulation.
He added that a diplomatic boycott is 'a serious stain on the spirit of the Olympic Charter' and described the move as 'a naked political provocation, and a serious offense to the 1.4 billion Chinese people'.
Zhao said China would take 'resolute countermeasures' to any country that boycotts their Olympic Games.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics:Β News, Winter Olympics, China, US