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Beijing Winter Olympics: France will not boycott, says minister, but others seek a united EU front
- On Wednesday, Canada and Britain announced diplomatic boycotts of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, joining the US and Australia
- Canadian foreign minister says ‘agents’ will be in place in China to ensure the safety of Canadian athletes during the Games in February
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France will not follow the lead of some other Western governments by boycotting the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, although any human rights abuses in China must be condemned, the education minister said on Thursday.
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However, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Paris should take a common stand with other European Union countries on a possible diplomatic boycott.
Le Drian, who held a joint news conference with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock in Paris on Thursday, spoke soon after French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said France would not joint the boycott initiated by the United States.
Asked about the boycott announced by the US as well as Australia, Britain and Canada, Blanquer told RMC radio and BFM television that France “won’t do it”.
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Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights
Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights
“We need to be careful about the link between sports and politics,” Blanquer said during the interview.
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