中新网北京1月28日电(蒋鲤)有美媒报道称，美国国务院拟以“中国疫情状况”为由，批准其驻华使领馆“授权撤离”。这是自上月白宫宣布“不派官方代表团”出席北京冬奥会后，美国上演的又一“政治闹剧”。

　　疫情期间，中国一直严格遵守相关规定，严谨科学、行之有效地推进防疫措施，充分照顾了外交领事人员的舒适度和正当权益，充分保护了美国外交官及其家属在内的所有在华人士的安全。

　　因防疫政策需要，极少数处于管控区域的在华人员需要被短暂隔离，美国政府借此大做文章，以“中国疫情状况”为由批准其驻华使领馆“授权撤离”。美国该举措绝不是为了防疫安全，而是意在制造国际舆论、歪曲事实，否认中国在抗疫方面取得的成果。

　　目前，距离2022年北京冬奥会开幕已不到6天时间。在中国春节和北京冬奥会召开前夕，美国执意将体育运动政治化，这不仅是对奥林匹克宪章精神的亵渎，更是对中国赤裸裸的政治挑衅。一系列政治操弄不仅不能为美国赢得尊重，反而会暴露美国政府虚伪的本质。

　　无论美国如何从中作梗，北京冬奥会定将为全球呈现一场精彩的运动盛宴。妄图通过“政治闹剧”来抵制，美国政府终将自食恶果。

U.S.-planned 'authorized departures' a political farce

By John Lee

(ECNS) -- The U.S. State Department is considering whether to authorize departures for U.S. diplomats and their families in China, according to U.S. media reports. The move, in the name of "China’s COVID-19 situation," is another "political farce" directed by the U.S. since the Biden Administration announced that it would not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in December 2021.

During the pandemic, China has been adhering to relevant regulations and promoting anti-pandemic measures in rigorous, science-based and effective manners. Legitimate rights and interests of diplomatic and consular staff have been fully protected, with the safety of employees and families in the U.S. embassy and consulates ensured.

Only a few people in controlled areas have been required to be temporarily quarantined based on anti-pandemic policies. But the ill-intentioned “authorized departures” could well undermine the safety of the staff. Instead, it aims to repudiate China's achievements in the battle against COVID-19 by stirring up international arguments and distorting the facts.

With the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics less than six days away, the U.S. has been bent on politicizing sports to sabotage the Winter Olympics. Such a malicious trick is not only a betrayal of the Olympic spirit but also a naked act of political provocation. It won't earn the respect the U.S. politicians are eager for, but instead expose their hypocrisy.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics will present a spectacular feast of sports no matter how much the U.S. sets barriers. “Being hoisted with its own petard” will be the only consequence for the U.S. government if it keeps vainly attempting to boycott the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.