Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Olympics-China's U.N. envoy says choice of Uyghur torchbearer not meant to deflect Western criticism

China U.N. United States Beijing Beijing Winter Olympics Dinigeer Yilamujiang United Nations
FILE PHOTO: 2022 Beijing Olympics - Opening Ceremony - National Stadium, Beijing, China - February 4, 2022. Torchbearers Zhao Jiawen and Dinigeer Yilamujiang hold the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo

China's United Nations envoy has rejected his U.S. counterpart's remark that China's choice of an ethnic Uyghur as a torchbearer for the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics was an attempt to distract from his country's alleged rights abuses against Muslim minorities.

Ambassador Zhang Jun said in a statement on the embassy's website that China "sternly refutes" the "unwarranted accusations" made by U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield in an interview with CNN.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
‘Halloweenmas’: how the spooky one-nighter turned into a month-long spectacular
Welcome to Halloweenmas, weeks of themed fun and gifts – from costume parties to decorating trees – without the stress, rules or cost of Christmas
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
After Megan Fox Horrified Fans, Cameron Diaz Faces Scrutiny Over Her Looks As Comment About Aging Resurfaces
Cameron Diaz’s old Botox confession resurfaced after Megan Fox faced appearance-related criticism, prompting fresh online debate about cosmetic procedures and aging naturally.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Harvard’s $27.50 stained document was a rare Magna Carta original
Harvard Law School bought a stained and faded parchment in 1946 for just $27.50, believing it was an ordinary later copy of the Magna Carta. The document was catalogued as dating from 1327 and remained in the library for decades. Nearly 80 years later, medieval historians examining a digital image…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Former Black Midi frontman cancels US tour after sexual misconduct allegations
Flyers containing the accusations were handed out at show in Vancouver, Canada
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Why Is There So Much Liquid in Packaged Chicken?
If you have ever opened a package of raw chicken and found a puddle of liquid inside, you are not alone. The amount can sometimes be surprising, especially when the chicken looks like it is sitting in water. However, that liquid does not necessarily mean the chicken is spoiled or…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
LeBron James is everything Philadelphia wants. And everything it can’t stand
The city has embraced its new superstar with open arms, even as he choppers in from Manhattan and makes no secret of the fact that Philadelphia was never his first choice
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play