However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, 53, stated Australian athletes will still compete despite the diplomatic boycott. Mr Morrison said the boycott should come as “no surprise”, citing the breakdown in the relationship with China over the past years.

       Mr Morrison said: “I'm doing it because it's in Australia's national interest. It's the right thing to do.”

       The Australian Prime Minister's statement comes after an announcement from the Biden administration on Monday claiming the US boycott is in response to what it called “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses”.

       American athletes are also still expected to compete in the games.

       Following the White House's announcement, China accused the US of “political posturing and manipulation” and claimed American diplomats had not even been invited to Beijing in the first place.

       READ MORE: US boycotts China Winter Olympics, but supports athletes in competing

       Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian warned: “The US should stop politicising sports, and stop disrupting and undermining the Beijing Winter Olympics, lest it should affect bilateral dialogue and cooperation in important areas and international and regional issues.”

       The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has since responded to the decision made by the Biden administration.

       Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr, the IOC’s coordination commission chief for the Beijing Winter Olympics, said: “We always ask for as much respect as possible and least possible interference from the political world.

       “We have to be reciprocal. We respect the political decisions taken by political bodies.”

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       The UK has been encouraged to follow suit with a diplomatic boycott by a Tory MP.

       Conservative MP Alicia Kearns has revealed she was “delighted” American diplomats will be skipping the sporting event next year and encouraged British officials to do the same.

       Ms Kearns, who is co-chair of the China Research Group of Tory MPs, told Express.co.uk: “I've been calling on the UK to stage a diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics since March 2020, and I'm delighted that the US is doing so.

       “With the Chinese Communist Party's abysmal human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, as well as its sabre-rattling over Taiwan, the Chinese Community Party's Propaganda Games is not one that rule of law nations should legitimize.

       “We know from the 2008 Games that the CCP will use the opportunity to extol its power and virtue - but that mask has now well and truly slipped.

       “I hope that the Government is actively considering a political and diplomatic boycott.”