The Chinese embassy in London issued a statement on Thursday rebuking the UK government's decision for a "diplomatic boycott" of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

"If the UK government's policy remains not to support 'sporting boycotts', then there should not be an 'effective diplomatic boycott'," the embassy's spokesperson said, confirming the Chinese government has not invited government ministers or officials from the UK to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics.

"The Beijing Winter Olympics is a gathering of Olympic athletes and winter sports lovers across the world, not a tool of political manipulation for any country," the spokesperson said. "Making an issue out of the presence of government officials at the Beijing Winter Olympics is in essence a political smearing campaign."

"This sheer politicization of sports is a blatant violation of the spirit of the Olympic Charter, especially the principle of 'political neutrality' of sports, and runs counter to the new Olympic motto of 'together'," the spokesperson said.

The UK government's decision "is a wrong move that places one on the opposite side of the Olympic movement and the athletes from all over the world" and "will surely meet condemnation from the international community and the vast number of athletes", the spokesperson said.

"The preparation for the Beijing Winter Games has entered the home stretch. Athletes from all over the world are eagerly looking forward to coming to China for the Games," the spokesperson said, urging the UK government to uphold the Olympic spirit, honor its commitment of not boycotting sports and stop political manipulation.