China: Beijing 'committed' to hosting safe Olympics - FM spox amid criticism over athlete quarantine

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Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reacted to allegations that China is committing a human rights breach by quarantining COVID-19 positive Finnish athlete Marko Antilla, during a press conference in Beijing on Monday.

On Sunday, Finnish Olympic coach Jukka Jalonen accused the country of not respecting Antilla’s human rights by keeping him in quarantine following a positive COVID-19 test, despite the athlete allegedly being asymptomatic.

“BOCOG [Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games] is implementing the necessary epidemic prevention and control measures for Olympic-related personnel, in accordance with the epidemic prevention instructions,” said Zhao.

“Regarding the question about the Finnish athletes, what I can tell is that China has been committed to hosting a simple, safe and splendid Olympic Games,” Zhao continued.

The spokesperson also condemned the ‘political interpretations’ that followed China’s choice of torchbearer Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur skier who carried the final Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday night.

“According to the Olympic Charter, as a team member of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Dinigeer Yilamujiang has the right to participate in the competition and any ceremonies,“ said Zhao.

The Beijing Winter Olympics began on February 4 and are scheduled to run until February 20.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): “Regarding the question you mentioned about the Finnish athletes, the spokesperson of the Beijing Winter Olympics Organising Committee has already commented on that. What I can tell you here is that China is committed to hosting a simple, safe and exciting Olympic Games.”

SOT, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): “BOCOG [Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games] is implementing the necessary epidemic prevention and control measures for Olympic-related personnel, in accordance with the epidemic prevention instructions. The committee aims to effectively protect the health of all Olympic-related personnel and the people of the host city, minimize epidemic-related risks, and ensure that the competition can be held safely and smoothly as scheduled.”

SOT, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): “[The epidemic prevention measures] have been highly approved by all parties at home and abroad, and the World Health Organisation has also made positive comments on this. At the same time, as the host, China is committed to providing meticulous and thoughtful services and convenience to athletes from all countries. Regarding the [Finnish] athlete you mentioned, he is a confirmed positive [COVID-19] case. If you are interested in his isolation conditions and other specific circumstances, you can ask the Beijing Winter Olympics Organising Committee.”

SOT, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): “The Beijing Winter Olympics are underway, and political hype like malicious smearing through the Winter Olympics will neither win the hearts of people nor bring good results. [The actions of those leaving such comments] will surely be condemned and opposed by the international community, including athletes from all countries”.

SOT, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): “Regarding the question about the torchbearers of the Winter Olympics, I believe you have also noticed that the spokesperson of the International Olympic Committee has responded to this. First of all, according to the Olympic Charter, as a team member of the Beijing Winter Olympics, Dinigeer Yilamujiang has the right to participate in the competition and any ceremonies. Secondly, it is understood that there are clear standards for the selection of torchbearers for the Beijing Winter Olympics, and various factors such as personal wishes, competition performance, age and ethnic composition must be comprehensively considered to fully reflect representation.”

SOT, Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson (Mandarin): “I have taken your remarks into account. What I want to say is that we hope that the relevant parties will treat the torchbearers objectively and rationally, and not make political interpretations.”

Video ID: 20220207-023

Video on Demand: https://ruptly.tv/videos/20220207-023
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