Policy Alert #245 | February 11, 2022
In the run-up to the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China had insisted on keeping politics and sports separate. But as the 2022 Olympics are now officially underway, the excitement of the sports is being largely drowned out by political tensions. Much of the criticism surrounding the Beijing Olympics has focused on China’s treatment of its minority Uyghurs. The opening ceremony appeared to meet this criticism head-on. It featured representatives of all 56 officially recognized Chinese ethnic groups, including Uyghurs, standing together and passing the Chinese flag across Beijing’s National Stadium.
Adding to the controversy, only one day before the opening ceremonies began, India joined the U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the Olympics. This decision was made after China included a PLA soldier who was involved in a deadly border skirmish in 2020 with Indian troops in the torch relay ahead of the opening ceremonies.
In addition, just hours before the opening ceremonies, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who flew to China for the Games. It was the first face-to-face meeting Xi has had with another world leader in nearly two years. In a joint statement after the meeting, China and Russia declared a “no limits” partnership. Beijing supported Russia’s demand that Ukraine should not be admitted into NATO, while Moscow opposed any form of independence for Taiwan. The agreement marked the most detailed and assertive statement of Russian and Chinese resolve to work together.
