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Tokyo 2020: China stands with the IOC and will not follow Canada and Australia in requesting Olympic Games postponement

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman says they will always support Japan in organising the Tokyo Games
  • China would respect decision made by IOC and Japanese authorities

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Volleyball player Zhu Ting is poised to lead China to more glory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Photo: AP
Chan Kin-wa

China will not follow Canada and Australia in requesting the Tokyo 2020 Olympics be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the daily media briefing by the ministry in Beijing on Monday, Chinese spokesman Geng Shuang said China would always support the Olympic Games organised by Japan this summer.

Geng said they were aware of reports and requests made by countries to postpone the Games, which start on July 24. However, he said China’s stance on supporting the Tokyo Olympic Games has never changed and China would also respect any decisions made by the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese authorities.

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The Hong Kong Olympic Committee also said it will stand by the International Olympic Committee over any decision to postpone the Games, saying athletes’ health is its first concern.
Table tennis star Fan Zhendong is a favourite in the men’s singles at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Photo: Xinhua
Table tennis star Fan Zhendong is a favourite in the men’s singles at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Photo: Xinhua
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On Monday, Canada said they would not send a team to the Tokyo Olympics if Japan did not postpone the extravaganza. Australia quickly followed suit.

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