Chinese Consulate-General Spokesperson on the Remarks of the Scottish sides regarding Beijing Winter Olympics

2021-12-10 01:56

Question: According to media reports, the Sports Minister of Scotland Maree Todd indicated that the Scottish Government is“deeply concerned" by“human rights abuses" in China, and neither Scottish ministers nor Government officials have any plans to attend the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. What is your comment?

Spokesperson: First, China firmly rejects any allegations of human rights abuse against the Chinese government in disregard of basic facts. The Chinese people are in the best position to judge China's human rights condition. Taking a people-centered approach, the Chinese government regards the rights to subsistence and the rights to development as its primary and basic human rights. It endeavors to improve the rights of all its people in a coordinated manner and works for their rounded development. The sense of gain, happiness and security of the Chinese people in all regions has continued to increase. 

In Xinjiang, people are enjoying sustained economic development, social stability, a better standard of living, unprecedented cultural prosperity, a harmonious co-existence of all religions, and solidarity among different ethnic groups. The rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups, the Uygur people included, have been fully protected.

In Tibet, there has been rapid economic growth and improvement in people's lives in the past 70 years since its peaceful liberation. The former serfs and slaves are now able to enjoy democratic rights and become their own masters. 

In Hong Kong, with the enforcement of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR and the implementation of the principle of“patriots governing Hong Kong", the damages of violence and chaos are completely reversed and the legitimate rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong residents are better protected. These are facts that anyone without bias would recognize. What's more important, affairs related to Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong are purely China's internal affairs and brook no external interference.

Second, the Scottish side's approach to politicize the Games would only go against the enthusiastic expectations of sports lovers and will find no support. The Beijing Winter Olympics is a gathering of Olympic athletes and winter sports fans across the world, not a stage for political posturing and manipulation. According to Olympic rules, government ministers and officials are invited by their respective National Olympic Committee to attend the Olympic Games. The Chinese government has not invited any UK or Scottish officials to the Beijing Winter Olympics. Isn't it a wishful thinking to decline an event without being invited? China will demonstrate the Olympic spirit of greater unity and present a streamlined, safe and splendid Olympic Games to the world, regardless of whether Scotland sends its officials or not.