'If the U.S. side is bent on going its own way, China will take firm countermeasures,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.
But many calling for a boycott have decried China's human rights abuses and crackdown against opposition, alleging that the country is attempting to use the games to boost its global reputation.
Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during a briefing that a diplomatic boycott would be"outright political provocation" and that it would warrant"firm countermeasures," but he did not specify how China would respond. He also accused the U.S.
Beijing has mounted a stiff response to all U.S. criticisms, denouncing them as interference in its internal affairs and slapping visa bans on American politicians it regards as anti-China. It wasn't clear who the U.S. might have sent to Beijing for the games and Zhao's comments appeared to indicate that China has not extended any invitations.
Australia, whose ties with China have nosedived over a range of disputes, has also raised the possibility of a diplomatic boycott.
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