IN FOCUS
By Keerthana Nambiar 

Beijing Winter Olympics: Politics, Controversies and Concerns

The Diplomatic Boycott
On 6 December, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced that the Us was instituting a “diplomatic boycott” over the human rights concerns in the Xinjiang region. The White House reported: “The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games given the PRC’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses.” Australia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania and the UK followed in the same footsteps of declaring a “diplomatic boycott.” Countries like the Netherlands, New Zealand refrained from sending officials, citing pandemic-related concerns. France and Germany refused to commit the boycott but were absent from the Chinese Foreign Ministry attendee list. On 28 January, the Chinese Ministry announced that 32 foreign heads of state, heads of government, members of royal families and heads of international organizations attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

A diplomatic boycott is a high-profile action with relatively low consequences. Countries usually send a high-level delegation to the host as a sign of support and patriotism. Biden’s boycott does not bar the US athletes from participating in the Games; it depoliticizes the games with the absence of government officials. The official motto of the Winter Games, “Together for a Shared Future” has thrown a spotlight on the growing differences between China and the West. The boycott is a new competitive context that Us-China relations stepped into.

China’s game plan
China has responded angrily to the boycott, threatening that the US will “pay the price” and accusing Washington of politicizing sports against the principle of the Olympic charter. Ultimately China seems not worried about the boycott because they have experienced this before. Beijing was sure that once the games begin, athletes' performances will dominate the media, drowning the politics. In this context, the attending countries wish to solidify diplomatic ties with China and have an in-person interaction with President Xi Jinping.

Opening Ceremony
Most of the criticism surrounding the Olympic games appeared during the opening ceremony wherein representatives of 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, including the Uyghur Muslims stood together passing the Chinese flag. This raised concerns among the international community, including the Human Rights Watch, who repeatedly called for a complete boycott of the Beijing Winter Games. The presence of Taiwanese athletes garnered attention who were announced under “Chinese Taipei.”

The important variables
First, Beijing is hosting the Olympics amidst the COVID-19 restrictions. China seeks perfectly choreographed games with the plans of zero-COVID spillover. The authorities have created a “closed-loop”- a vast network of bubbles that separates the Games from the city. Second, most of the world leaders who attended the ceremony were from non-democratic regimes. The presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s at the games marks an important rapprochement between Moscow and Beijing. Third, the motives International Olympic Committee (IOC). China is using the IOC for obvious reasons and the IOC is rationalizing the situation rather than being a morally responsible organization.

Spirit of Olympics
China has heavily invested in the athletes and infrastructure to put up an impressive international event. President Xi Jinping views the games as an important aspect of rising China and pushing the human rights allegations by the West. 

References:
“Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, 6 December 2021,” White House, 6 December 2021
“Xi hosts world leaders amid Olympics,” Global Times, 6 February 2022
“The Guardian view on Beijing’s Winter Games: a very political contest,” The Guardian, 9 February 2022
“Attempts to politicize, sabotage Beijing Winter Olympics "futile": spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 3 February 2022

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs plans to build more eco-farms by 2025
On 9 February, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced that by 2025, China plans to build 1,00 national ecological farms and 10,000 local ones nationwide. “China plans to build more ecological farms in the coming years to advance modernization and green development in the agricultural sector,” reported Xinhua. In a guideline published by the ministry, China hopes to improve to quality, efficiency and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The document also noted that the new development will identify technical patterns, foster modern and efficient market entities and competitiveness of this sector. (“China to build more eco-farms by 2025,” Xinhua Net, 9 February 2022)

NDRC and NEA plans to stabilize coal prices
On 9 February, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Energy Administration (NEA) held a meeting to make plans to stabilize the coal prices. It also issued warnings to companies that “charged exorbitant coal prices” and coal producers must ensure to step up coal supplies. The meeting further said that it will rectify problems after issuing reminders, further investigating and accountability. (“China to further stabilize coal prices,” Xinhua Net, 9 February 2022)

China updates the rules on data security
On 10 February, China’s Ministry of Industry (MIIT) and Information Technology published revisions of draft rules on how companies and localities must manage data. The updated rules asks to categorize data on the basis of three sections: “industrial data,” “telecommunications data,” and “wireless data.” The law is to categorize data based on its relevance to national security and the economy. (“China revises draft rules on data security for business sectors,” Reuters, 10 February 2022)

REGIONAL
Chinese embassy in South Korea congratulates skater for winning in the Winter Olympics
On 10 February, the Chinese embassy in South Korea congratulated the South Korean short-track speed skater Hwang Dae-heon for winning the gold medal in the 1,500-meter category. The win came after a fierce competition between Hwang, a Chinese skater and another South Korean participant. Global Times reported that the win had resulted in a string of congratulatory messages on social media, from South Korean as well as Chinese citizens, showcasing the sincere friendship between the two countries. (“Chinese embassy congratulates South Korean skater Hwang Dae-heon for claiming first gold medal at Beijing 2022, Global Times, 10 February 2022) 

INTERNATIONAL
Lithuania and Australia agree to cooperate on challenges posed by China 
On 9 February, the Australian Foreign Minister and the Lithuanian Foreign Minister agreed to expand their cooperation on strategic challenges, with a special focus on China. The countries agreed to the plan of cooperation after the senior diplomats met in Australia, days before the Quad meeting on 11 February. The Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “For quite a while, Australia was probably one of the main examples where China is using economy and trade as a political instrument or, one might say, even as a political weapon. Now Lithuania joins this exclusive club ... but it is apparent that we’re definitely not the last ones.” (“Australia, Lithuania unite to counter China pressure,” Taipei Times, 10 February 2022)

China responds to BBC’s accusations on incursions in Nepal
On 10 February, the Global Times reported on the BBC’s claims of a Chinese incursion in Nepal and called it a smear campaign. The BBC made its accusations based on an allegedly leaked report by the government of Nepal. However, Chinese media and citizens have viewed the development as an attempt of the West to take away the attention on the Beijing Winter Olympics and cause false issues in the international system. A research fellow from the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies said: “This report cannot represent the official position of Nepal.” (“BBC's China-Nepal border dispute hype a 'smear campaign',” Global Times, 10 February 2022)

Lithuanian beef exports suspended by China
On 9 February, China decided to suspend beef imports from Lithuania after the General Administration of Customs made the announcement. The Customs did not specify the reason for the suspension. Chinese Foreign Ministry refrained from elaborating on the beef suspension. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “ What Lithuania should do is face up to facts, redress its own mistakes, and come back to the right track of adhering to the one-China principle, instead of confusing right with wrong.” Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that China is trying to bully Lithuania and they “firmly stand together with Lithuania.” (“China suspends Lithuanian beef imports as Taiwan row grows,” Reuters, 10 February 2022)

US Chamber of Commerce considers alternatives to deal with China in the trading sector 
On 9 February, the head of international affairs in the US Chambers of Commerce Myron Brilliant said that the US would consider a new China tariff probe in case the current negotiations with China fail. Myron also confirmed that the lobbying group in the US would attempt to create a unified front of the US allies if China disagrees to cooperate on its promise to purchase US goods, energy and services. The statements were made after the latest data revealed that despite China’s promise on fair trade, there was a massive shortfall of Chinese purchases from the US. (“New China tariff probe among options considered by Biden--U.S. Chamber,” The Asahi Shimbun, 10 February 2022)