Nancy Pelosi urged U.S. Olympic athletes not to speak out against the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights abuses while in Beijing, saying the athletes shouldn’t risk “incurring the anger” of the “ruthless” CCP.
The House speaker made the comments during a Thursday testimony before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, in which she condemned the Chinese government, criticized the International Olympic Committee for making China the host country, and touted the Biden administration’s diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games.
“Make no mistake — our athletes should participate,” Pelosi said. “They’ve trained, they’re disciplined, they’ve dreamed, they’ve aspired, they’ve worked hard. But this year we must celebrate them from home as they compete in China.”
But Pelosi also indicated that she believes U.S. athletes should keep quiet in China to avoid the Chinese government’s wrath.
“I would say to our athletes: You’re there to compete. Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless,” Pelosi said. “I know there is a temptation on the part of some to speak out while they are there. I respect that, but I also worry about what the Chinese government might do to their reputations and to their families.”
Pelosi continued: “So, again, participate, let us celebrate from abroad, and don’t risk thinking that there are any good intentions on the part of the People’s Republic of China’s government — because there are none.”
Some international athletes are reportedly planning on boycotting Friday’s opening ceremony.
The FBI on Monday urged all U.S. athletes competing in the Olympic Games in Beijing to leave their phones behind, warning of cybersecurity threats from technology linked to CCP repression.
The bureau warned of “potential threats associated with mobile applications developed by untrusted vendors” and said those going to Olympics this month and the Paralympics in March should leave their personal devices home and consider burner phones instead.
The 2022 Games have been dubbed the “Genocide Olympics” by critics who believe the competition should not be held in a country responsible for a host of human rights abuses. The United States concluded that the CCP is conducting a genocide against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang in Western China.
The Chinese companies that attendees at the Olympics will likely need to rely upon for basic telecommunications, translation, and internet services are linked to China’s military, Uyghur repression, or China’s broader surveillance apparatus. And the daily health app that Olympians must use has been accused of significant security flaws.
Despite her urging U.S. athletes to keep quiet while in China, Pelosi said the U.S. government should continue calling out China during the Olympics.
“Over the next two weeks, it is our moral duty to shine a bright light on the many human rights violations being perpetrated by the host nation,” the Democrat said.
Pelosi also accused the IOC of “selling out on human rights” by selecting China. Neither the Trump nor Biden administrations undertook a serious or coordinated effort to force the games to move out of China.
“Now the IOC, aided by corporate sponsors, once again turns a blind eye with the 2022 Winter Olympics, just to bolster their bottom line,” Pelosi said. “If we do not speak out against human rights violations in China because of commercial interest, we lose all moral authority to speak out against human rights violations anywhere.”
Pelosi concluded by saying, “We wish all of the athletes well. We wish them safety — and that safety includes: Don’t for one moment believe what the Chinese government might tell you about freedom of expression. You take a risk. Be safe.”