The upcoming Winter Olympics in China is set to play host to world leaders such as the Russian President, the Pakistan Prime Minister, and five Presidents from Central Asia. This international gathering draws significant attention due to the delicate geo-political matters at hand. These include Russia’s concerning operations near Ukraine border, Pakistan’s economic aspirations with China, and a controversial diplomatic boycott by several western countries over alleged human rights violations in the Xinjiang province.
Political Conversations on Ice
The Russian President’s attendance in China is an opportunity to discuss the ongoing crisis with Ukraine. China, known for its close ties with Russia, has largely remained silent amidst the escalating tensions caused by the build-up of Russian forces along Ukraine’s borders. Hence, the discussions could shed light on China’s stance in this matter.
The Pakistan Prime Minister’s schedule includes talks about Chinese investments and speeding up the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan. Following China’s declaration of its intent to develop communication satellites for Pakistan and assist with construction of the Pakistan Space Centre, these deliberations promise to boost Pakistan’s economic and technological capabilities.
Meanwhile, China has been cornered by the US, UK, Canada, and Australia with a “diplomatic boycott” over accusations of human rights violations in the Xinjiang province. As these nations withdraw their diplomatic representation from the Winter Olympics, it brings global attention to issues further than just winter sports.
Winter Olympics: An Overview
Winter Olympics is the premier event for winter sports which are played on ice or snow. Taking place every four years, it is a global podium where athletes from various nations compete in sports like ice skating, ice hockey, skiing and figure skating.
While the Winter Olympics now stand as a separate event, its origins can be traced back to the Summer Olympics. The 1908 London Olympics saw the inclusion of four figure skating events, and the Antwerp 1920 hosted both figure skating and ice hockey. A shift occurred in 1924 as a dedicated event for winter sports, termed the International Winter Sports Week, was held in Chamonix, France, also the host of the 1924 Summer Olympics. This event was officially recognised as the first Winter Olympic Games two years later.
Winter Olympics 2022
The forthcoming edition of the Winter Olympic Games will run from the 4th to the 20th of February 2022 in Beijing, China. Apart from the global players converging on the icy realm for political discussions, this event also brings forward athletes from all around the world, including India, who has been participating in the Winter Olympics since 1964. As nations compete for glory in winter sports, this Olympics is set to be a fusion of athletic zeal and international diplomacy.
