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NZ bucks trend in signing truce

New Zealand has gone against national allies in signing a truce with China ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics amid growing pressure for a diplomatic boycott of the event.

None of the ‘‘Quad’’ members – United States, India, Australia and Japan – sponsored the resolution, and New Zealand was the only country in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, comprising Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and the US, to sign the truce.

The refusal to sign the Olympic Truce – a tradition that dates back to ancient Greece to ensure conflicts don’t disrupt the competition – was designed to send a message to Beijing over its human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong and the treatment of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.

Since its revival in 1993, Israel and North Korea are usually the only countries not to sign the truce. But the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday passed the resolution without the support of 20 countries.

A diplomatic boycott would involve not sending a delegation of officials to the Winter Olympics in February but allowing athletes to participate.

It would be aimed at protesting against China’s human rights record across a number of fronts amid mounting concern for Peng’s welfare.

The former doubles world No 1 went missing for weeks after accusing former Chinese vicepremier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault, before re-emerging in highly choreographed appearances.

Asked whether Australia would impose a diplomatic boycott, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday: ‘‘We’re considering those matters at the moment and working through those issues.’’

The Olympic Truce was established in the 9th century BC, with the signing of a treaty to allow athletes and spectators from the three Greek city-states, which were at war with each other, to safely attend the events.

Since 1993, the UN General Assembly has expressed its support for the truce before each Olympics and Winter Olympics.

Sport

en-nz

2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-04T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282754884986278

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