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New Zealand is not going to ship its diplomats to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing, the nation’s deputy prime minister mentioned, explaining that the transfer is “largely” motivated by Covid-19 hours after the US declared its personal boycott.
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson instructed native media on Tuesday that diplomatic representatives from the island wouldn’t attend the Olympics, set for February, noting that call was conveyed to Beijing again in October.
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“We’ve already made clear that we received’t be there at a ministerial stage,” Robertson instructed Tv New Zealand. “We made that clear to China I believe in October, and so for us that’s a call we’ve already made.”
He added that the transfer was pushed by a “vary of things… largely as a result of Covid,” however nonetheless said “we’ve made clear to China on quite a few events our considerations about human rights points.” By all indications, Kiwi athletes will nonetheless compete within the Olympics and solely officers will stay dwelling.
Earlier on Monday, the US authorities equally introduced that it could boycott the video games, however cited alleged “crimes in opposition to humanity” and rights abuses dedicated by Beijing, moderately than risks linked to the pandemic.
READ MORE: White Home confirms Biden’s China boycott
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