- On December 6th, the US announced
a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Games.
- The Biden administration will not send
any diplomatic or official representation
to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games.
- The decision allows US athletes
to participate in the games
but is a significant political snub
and reflects the administration's displeasure
over China's human rights abuses.
Earlier, China had said that there would be countermeasures
if a diplomatic boycott was implemented and added --
-No one cares whether they come or not.
It has no influence on Beijing's success
in hosting the Winter Olympics.
- It's certainly symbolic.
It's not the same as an all-out boycott like the US had
and several western countries had in 1980.
I don't see that happening again.
- The boycott also comes on the heels
of international condemnation of China's treatment
of former Olympian and tennis star Peng Shuai.
- And we want to turn now the deepening mystery
of a Chinese tennis star who hasn't been seen
since publicly accusing a top Chinese
official of sexual assault.
- All mention of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai
has been scrubbed from the country's Internet.
- Since the allegations and her public absence,
Peng resurfaced at what appeared to be carefully
orchestrated events along with video calls
with the president of the International Olympic Committee,
Thomas Bach, although Bach did not determine
whether she was able to speak or travel
without government interference or intimidation.
- The IOC needs these Olympics.
I mean, the IOC --
so much of the IOC's money is derived from the Olympics.
They cannot cancel the Olympics.
China certainly has no interest in canceling the Olympics.
This is a very big point of national pride for China.
- The IOC isn't going to cancel the Winter Games
over the tennis star's disappearance and silencing.
But one group has taken action.
On December 1st, the Women's Tennis Association announced
that it would suspend all tournaments in China
and Hong Kong in a decision
that could heighten calls to boycott the games.
- The WTA's probably been the strongest voice
out there saying, "Well, what is going on?
How come we haven't heard from her?
How come we haven't seen her?
All these things for weeks and weeks and weeks."
- On December 2nd, the IOC said in a statement
that it held another call with Peng
amid continued concerns about her wellbeing.
The organization added that it was using quiet diplomacy.
The IOC has faced criticism from human rights advocates
and others for taking this type of soft approach with China.
China's dismal human rights record was also a concern
when the IOC chose Beijing to host the 2008 Summer Games.
- March of that year, there were protests in Tibetan regions
and there was a really fierce crackdown.
Human rights groups were livid.
- But there was a sense of optimism at that time
under President Hu Jintao that a new China was emerging.
- People were sort of looking to some of the changes
happening within China thinking,
"Okay, yeah, there are still problems,
but it seems like there's some progress going on here."
- At the time, there was a really big feeling
that maybe China's loosening up a little bit.
- Now really everything is going the other direction.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, he's amassed power.
He's about to enter his third term.
China is picking fights left, right, and center with various,
you know, western powers.
You know, scrutiny has already been mounting
over the crackdown in Xinjiang
where over a million Uyghurs and other Muslim people
have been interned in reeducation camps.
It was building over Hong Kong, where the national security
law essentially outlawed democratic politicians.
And instead of China
kind of attempting some sort of compromise
or working with western powers,
they've been pushing back and saying,
"No, we're doing it our way now."
- More likely is that Beijing will continue to deflect
and ignore questions on its human rights record.
- This isn't just affecting, you know, these particular issues.
It's really all over the board.
I mean, who expected a tennis star to disappear?
But frankly, Beijing doesn't seem to be backing down.