According to the state-run Xinhua news agency, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has expressed a desire to collaborate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to resist the politicization of sports. This comes in response to recent protests regarding human rights and the playing of a Hong Kong protest-related song during certain events, which has angered Beijing.
During a meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach in Beijing, Premier Li highlighted the importance of preventing politics from interfering with sporting events. Several nations, including Canada, the United States, and Britain, chose to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to concerns about China’s human rights record.
While China dismissed the boycotts as “political posturing” and a smear campaign, Bach emphasized that China has a significant role to play in maintaining global peace and encouraging mutual development. He also expressed the IOC’s willingness to strengthen collaboration with China to promote the Olympic movement’s growth.
Beijing has repeatedly stated its opposition to politicizing sporting events. In February, following a match between Hong Kong and Iran at the World Ice Hockey championships in Bosnia, a song associated with Hong Kong’s 2019 anti-government protests was played instead of China’s March of the Volunteers anthem. This resulted in criticism from government officials and an investigation. Nonetheless, Beijing has maintained its stance on opposing any attempts to politicize sporting events.
