Political | Process

Speaking at a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing, Pelosi said the U.S. has an “urgent moral duty to shine a bright light” on China’s human rights abuses.

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• “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, referring to the International Olympic Committee.

• “If we do not speak out against human rights violations in China, because of commercial interests, we lose all moral authority to speak out against human rights violations anywhere,” she continued.

• But Pelosi urged athletes to focus on competing in the games rather than speaking out.

• “Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless,” Pelosi said. 

• On Monday, lawmakers told U.S. Olympic officials to prepare to defend American athletes from Chinese ​​retaliation if they choose to speak out against China’s human rights violations, according to Reuters.

• This comes as the U.S. and a handful of other countries have announced diplomatic boycotts of the upcoming Beijing Winter Games due to concerns over ongoing human rights violations in China.

• The games are set to begin on Friday.