China: The Winter Olympics: Uyghur athlete delivers Beijing Olympics flame in opening ceremony after global criticism of China - by Saphora Smith and Jennifer Jett

After a brisk, snowflake-themed show that emphasized youth and “ordinary people,” the Games were declared officially open by Chinese President Xi Jinping, prompting a burst of fireworks over the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium in central Beijing.

The final step was to deliver the ceremonial flame, a moment that often carries symbolic weight based in part on who is selected for the task.

Chinese officials chose two athletes, one of whom was Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur cross-country skiier from the western Chinese region of Xinjiang. After a brisk, snowflake-themed show that emphasized youth and “ordinary people,” the Games were declared officially open by Chinese President Xi Jinping, prompting a burst of fireworks over the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium in central Beijing. The final step was to deliver the ceremonial flame, a moment that often carries symbolic weight based in part on who is selected for the task.

Chinese officials chose two athletes, one of whom was Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a Uyghur cross-country skiier from the western Chinese region of Xinjiang.

Note EU-Digest: "By having a Uyghur athlete deliver Beijing Olympics flame in opening ceremony China showed that over the years they have learned a lot of how to apply US PR tactics"

Read more at: Uyghur athlete delivers Beijing Olympics flame in opening ceremony after global criticism of China

China sanctions EU officials in response to Uyghur row

China on Monday said it had decided to impose sanctions on 10 European Union citizens, including politicians, for "gross interference" in its internal affairs, and for "flagrantly violating international law."

In a statement, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it would endorse sanctions against the individuals and four EU entities for "maliciously spreading lies and false information."

Read more at: https://www.dw.com/en/china-sanctions-eu-officials-in-response-to-uyghur-row/a-56948924