China calls Beijing Winter Olympics boycott, a futile gesture

China has appreciated Pakistan for being against the “politicization” of sports after Islamabad’s comment that the Beijing Winter Olympics would offer "a spectacular and colourful gala to sports enthusiasts around the world." "Pakistan's position to oppose any form of politicization of sports is highly appreciated. The Beijing Winter Olympic Games is not a stage for the posturing and grandstanding of politicians," China's ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong wrote on Twitter on Sunday. Xinhua reported Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, while addressing a weekly media briefing, expressed Islamabad’s confidence in China’s plan to host the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Olympic games symbolise sportsmanship, team spirit, unity, effort, struggle, and maintaining grace in competition whatever the results are, the spokesperson said.

In a symbolic protest against China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang," the Biden administration had  announced it has decided not to send an official US delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics.  Britain, Canada and New Zealand have announced a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. China has dismissed the decision of diplomatic boycott as a futile gesture that violates the Olympic spirit, but has also vowed to retaliate. Beijing Winter Olympics will begin on February 4, 2022, and end on February 20.