Biden’s diplomatic boycott stands despite asking to send 18 officials to Beijing Winter Olympics: US

The US confirms it applied for visas for officials to attend Winter Games to give American athletes and personnel ‘consular and diplomatic security services’

China’s foreign ministry urges US to ‘stop politicising sport’ and not give comments or actions that ‘interfere with or disrupt’ the Winter Olympics

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The US embassy in Beijing says the United States will maintain its diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games, despite applying for officials to visit the city during the event to provide “consular and diplomatic security services” for athletes and other personnel. Photo: Reuters

Catherine Wong

Published: 5:08pm, 28 Dec 2021Updated: 8:06pm, 28 Dec 2021

The US will send officials to China to provide “consular and diplomatic security services” for American athletes, according to the US State Department, which said the move did not constitute official or diplomatic representation at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

A State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday the Biden administration’s position was unchanged after China confirmed it had received visa applications from US officials planning to visit during the Games, which start on February 4.

02:29

US announces diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics, expects other countries to follow

The South China Morning Post reported last week that the US government had recently submitted three-month visa applications for 18 people to provide “security support operations” at the Games, just weeks after the White House confirmed it would carry out a diplomatic boycott of the Games.

Sources have said most of the US personnel appeared to be mid- to lower-ranking State Department officials and that applications for a further 40 officials may follow.

A US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday these officials would provide consular and security services, calling it “standard” practice to have such personnel on the ground.

“We intend to provide consular and diplomatic security services to ensure our athletes, coaches, trainers and staff are secure and have access to the American citizen services that we provide to all US citizens overseas,” the spokesperson said.

“Any visa application would be for those consular and diplomatic security personnel. It is standard to have those personnel on the ground, and those personnel do not constitute official or diplomatic representation at the Games.”