Signs for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, on December 8. Reuters
Signs for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, on December 8. Reuters
Signs for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, on December 8. Reuters
Signs for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, on December 8. Reuters

UK won't send ministers or officials to Winter Olympics in Beijing


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said there will “effectively be a diplomatic boycott” of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, given that no UK ministers or officials will be attending.

Conservative former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged him to ensure the UK followed the lead of the US by having a full diplomatic boycott of the Games in February.

Mr Johnson said the government had “no hesitation” in raising concerns over human rights with China.

“There will be effectively a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing," he told the House of Commons. “No ministers are expected to attend and no officials.

“What I can tell the House is I don’t think sporting boycotts are sensible and that remains the policy of the government.”

The US and Australia have announced diplomatic boycotts over Beijing’s record on human rights, particularly the treatment of the Uighur Muslim community in Xinjiang province.

Princess Anne, who is president of the British Olympic Association and a member of the International Olympic Committee, is meeting the IOC on Thursday to discuss times before the opening ceremony.

Anne will be considering the options for travelling to the IOC meetings and games, a source said.

Mr Duncan Smith welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement and said he hoped “many other countries will follow suit”.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was imposing a boycott because it is “the right thing to do”.

In Australia’s case, it was also political disputes with China that sparked the move, including the Aukus pact with the UK and US for nuclear-powered submarines.

Mr Morrison said his government was happy to talk to China about their differences, “but the Chinese government has consistently not accepted those opportunities for us to meet”.

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes

Results:

First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15

Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24

Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPOPC%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAmna%20Aijaz%2C%20Haroon%20Tahir%20and%20Arafat%20Ali%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eart%20and%20e-commerce%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%20u%3C%2Fstrong%3Endisclosed%20amount%20raised%20through%20Waverider%20Entertainment%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPAD%20PRO%20(12.9%22%2C%202022)
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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Updated: December 08, 2021, 10:24 PM`