The Olympic games in Beijing are all set to kick off today but for journalists and officials arriving in china the scenes are much like a dystopian movie here's why!

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A cross country skier born in Xinjiang, who was one of the two final torchbearers at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, was not picked because of where she comes from, the International Olympic Committee said on Saturday. 
 
Dinigeer Yilamujiang, from Altay in China`s western Xinjiang region, placed the lit torch onto a giant snowflake along with Zhao Jiawen, a 21-year-old biathlete, before it was lifted high above the spectators at Beijing`s Bird`s Nest stadium. 
 
The selection of Yilamujiang as one of the final two torchbearers came as many western nations diplomatically boycotted the Winter Games over China`s treatment of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. 
 
"Obviously the opening ceremony is something that the organising committee put together and there`s creative input," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "We are involved to a certain extent." 
 
"This is an athlete who is competing here, she is competing this morning. She has every right, wherever she comes from, whatever her background, to compete... and to take part in any ceremony." 
 
Games organisers said the final handful of torchbearers who entered the stadium with the flame had been picked based on their birth dates with each having been born in a different decade, starting from the 1950s through to the 2000s. 
 
Yilamujiang is the first Chinese cross-country skiing medallist at any international federation-level event and is a medal hopeful in a sport in which China has not traditionally excelled. 
 
However, she finished tied for 43rd on Saturday in the skiathlon, placing third among the four Chinese skiers in the race. 
 
Ma Haiyun, an expert on Xinjiang and an associate professor at Frostburg State University in Maryland, said Yilamujiang`s selection was intended to send a message. 
 
"By selecting a Uyghur athlete to light the torch, China is trying to address criticism by the West about genocide or persecution of the Uyghurs, and about sinicisation of ethnic minorities," he said. 
 
"But I don’t think this can have much effect on the West, which tends to think most of what China puts up is a show anyway," Ma added. 
 
Rights groups and some western governments have called for China to end what the United States deems genocide against ethnic Uyghurs. United Nations researchers and rights activists estimate more than one million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. 
 
China rejects accusations of abuse, describing the camps as vocational centres designed to combat extremism, and in late 2019 said all people in the camps had "graduated". 
 
(Reporting by Karolos GrohmannAdditional reporting by Yew Lun TianEditing by Tony Munroe &amp; Shri Navaratnam) 
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A cross country skier born in Xinjiang, who was one of the two final torchbearers at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, was not picked because of where she comes from, the International Olympic Committee said on Saturday.

A cross country skier born in Xinjiang, who was one of the two final torchbearers at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, was not picked because of where she comes from, the International Olympic Committee said on Saturday. Dinigeer Yilamujiang, from Altay in China`s western Xinjiang region, placed the lit torch onto a giant snowflake along with Zhao Jiawen, a 21-year-old biathlete, before it was lifted high above the spectators at Beijing`s Bird`s Nest stadium. The selection of Yilamujiang as one of the final two torchbearers came as many western nations diplomatically boycotted the Winter Games over China`s treatment of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. "Obviously the opening ceremony is something that the organising committee put together and there`s creative input," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "We are involved to a certain extent." "This is an athlete who is competing here, she is competing this morning. She has every right, wherever she comes from, whatever her background, to compete... and to take part in any ceremony." Games organisers said the final handful of torchbearers who entered the stadium with the flame had been picked based on their birth dates with each having been born in a different decade, starting from the 1950s through to the 2000s. Yilamujiang is the first Chinese cross-country skiing medallist at any international federation-level event and is a medal hopeful in a sport in which China has not traditionally excelled. However, she finished tied for 43rd on Saturday in the skiathlon, placing third among the four Chinese skiers in the race. Ma Haiyun, an expert on Xinjiang and an associate professor at Frostburg State University in Maryland, said Yilamujiang`s selection was intended to send a message. "By selecting a Uyghur athlete to light the torch, China is trying to address criticism by the West about genocide or persecution of the Uyghurs, and about sinicisation of ethnic minorities," he said. "But I don’t think this can have much effect on the West, which tends to think most of what China puts up is a show anyway," Ma added. Rights groups and some western governments have called for China to end what the United States deems genocide against ethnic Uyghurs. United Nations researchers and rights activists estimate more than one million Muslims have been detained in camps in Xinjiang. China rejects accusations of abuse, describing the camps as vocational centres designed to combat extremism, and in late 2019 said all people in the camps had "graduated". (Reporting by Karolos GrohmannAdditional reporting by Yew Lun TianEditing by Tony Munroe & Shri Navaratnam)

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Winter Olympic starts kicked off in Beijing as China is getting up to host the winter Olympics. Amid the backdrop of the pandemic and also diplomatic boycotts at least about a thousand torch bearers will cat will carry the flame through the competition areas in Beijing and the neighboring city before the opening ceremony that's stated to be held on Friday.

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Citing a potential threat of "malicious" cyber activities, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has asked the athletes to use burner phones (temporary phones) during Winter Olympics 2022 in China and leave their personal cell phones at home.

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Will the Winter Olympics be a superspreader event? Beijing has reported its highest number of Wuhan virus cases in 18 months. Out of 8,000 people that have come for the games - 211 have tested positive. Palki Sharma tells you more.

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This story is about China, the country that is often slammed for its surveillance practices. This time, it’s being criticised for designing a poor mobile app for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. A report suggests that the app has serious security flaws that can put user data at risk. Cybersecurity experts are calling out China and questioning its intent. We get you the details.

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Dubbed as the biggest winter sporting spectacle, the Beijing winter Olympic games will kickstart from the fourth of February and estimated 3000 athletes will then compete in Beijing for the ultimate sporting glory.

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Chinese authorities locked down an area neighbouring the capital city of Beijing this week following a handful of reported COVID-19 cases, but made no public announcements about the fresh restrictions with just a week until the Winter Olympics.

Around 1.2 million people in Xiong'an New Area, a new economic zone 100 km southwest of Beijing, are no longer allowed to enter or leave their residential compounds, local virus prevention staff confirmed to AFP on Friday (Jan 28).

While recent lockdowns in China are publicly announced and widely reported by state media, the Xiong'an restrictions appear to have been introduced by stealth with no public announcements, sparking confusion among some residents of the area.

"We expect this (lockdown) to last around a week, but the exact timing is uncertain," said virus prevention staff in Xiong County, one of three counties in the area.

The restrictions kicked in on Tuesday, they added, the same day authorities in another district noted five confirmed coronavirus infections had been discovered to date.

With the Winter Olympics beginning next week, Chinese authorities have scrambled to eradicate flare-ups in several major cities, including Beijing.

Multiple cities such as Xi'an and Anyang have experienced hard lockdowns in recent weeks, with residents confined to their homes until multiple rounds of mass testing are completed and the outbreak suppressed.

Some users on China's Twitter-like Weibo were seen asking for further information about restrictions, while others questioned the extent of the measures.

"Is there a need? Why can't we go home if the area is deemed low-risk? Don't make this one-size-fits-all, "said a Weibo user this week.

Another said Thursday: "I don't think I'll be able to go home for Chinese New Year."

While there have been a number of national-level "New Areas" across China, Xiong'an stands out due to its location being personally designated by President Xi Jinping, according to state media.

China, where the coronavirus first emerged, has upheld a strict "zero-COVID" strategy involving targeted lockdowns, tight border controls, and mass testing.

Its case numbers are tiny in comparison to the rest of the world.

A month-long lockdown on the megacity of Xi'an was lifted earlier this week after a cluster that grew to more than 2,100 cases - China's largest outbreak in months - was largely stamped out.

But stubborn flare-ups have persisted, including in Beijing and the nearby port city of Tianjin.

China reported 39 domestic COVID-19 cases on Friday.

The Winter Olympics will be held in a strict "closed loop" bubble that separates everyone involved in the games from the wider Chinese population in order to reduce the risk of infections leaking out.

Chinese authorities locked down an area neighbouring the capital city of Beijing this week following a handful of reported COVID-19 cases, but made no public announcements about the fresh restrictions with just a week until the Winter Olympics.

Chinese authorities locked down an area neighbouring the capital city of Beijing this week following a handful of reported COVID-19 cases, but made no public announcements about the fresh restrictions with just a week until the Winter Olympics. Around 1.2 million people in Xiong'an New Area, a new economic zone 100 km southwest of Beijing, are no longer allowed to enter or leave their residential compounds, local virus prevention staff confirmed to AFP on Friday (Jan 28). While recent lockdowns in China are publicly announced and widely reported by state media, the Xiong'an restrictions appear to have been introduced by stealth with no public announcements, sparking confusion among some residents of the area. "We expect this (lockdown) to last around a week, but the exact timing is uncertain," said virus prevention staff in Xiong County, one of three counties in the area. The restrictions kicked in on Tuesday, they added, the same day authorities in another district noted five confirmed coronavirus infections had been discovered to date. With the Winter Olympics beginning next week, Chinese authorities have scrambled to eradicate flare-ups in several major cities, including Beijing. Multiple cities such as Xi'an and Anyang have experienced hard lockdowns in recent weeks, with residents confined to their homes until multiple rounds of mass testing are completed and the outbreak suppressed. Some users on China's Twitter-like Weibo were seen asking for further information about restrictions, while others questioned the extent of the measures. "Is there a need? Why can't we go home if the area is deemed low-risk? Don't make this one-size-fits-all, "said a Weibo user this week. Another said Thursday: "I don't think I'll be able to go home for Chinese New Year." While there have been a number of national-level "New Areas" across China, Xiong'an stands out due to its location being personally designated by President Xi Jinping, according to state media. China, where the coronavirus first emerged, has upheld a strict "zero-COVID" strategy involving targeted lockdowns, tight border controls, and mass testing. Its case numbers are tiny in comparison to the rest of the world. A month-long lockdown on the megacity of Xi'an was lifted earlier this week after a cluster that grew to more than 2,100 cases - China's largest outbreak in months - was largely stamped out. But stubborn flare-ups have persisted, including in Beijing and the nearby port city of Tianjin. China reported 39 domestic COVID-19 cases on Friday. The Winter Olympics will be held in a strict "closed loop" bubble that separates everyone involved in the games from the wider Chinese population in order to reduce the risk of infections leaking out.

China quietly locks down area near Beijing after COVID-19 cases

German car-makers are pressing Lithuania to seek a compromise with China. Reports say Lithuania could ask Taiwan to rename their office in Vilnius to placate Beijing. Why are Europe's big powers abandoning spirited Lithuania? Palki Sharma tells you.

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Beijing has said that the behavior of athletes who violate the Olympic spirit or the Chinese rules could be subject to punishment.

Beijing winter Olympics: Behavior of athletes could be subject to punishment

The Winter Olympics begin in less than 3 weeks. A group of activists is giving the Olympians some advice. They say athletes should stay silent on the issue of human rights in Beijing. IOC might not be able to protect them. Palki Sharma tells you why.

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Omicron is spreading across mainland China. More than 20 million people are under lockdown. The new variant has breached the borders of Beijing. Will the outbreak derail the Winter Games? Palki Sharma has more.

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An office building in the west of Beijing was sealed off without advance warning while workers were still inside. Also, all these workers were subjected to compulsory Covid testing. &nbsp;

This decision was made after an employee tested positive for the Omicron variant. All of this is happening mere three weeks before Winter Olympics has added to worry of the authorities.

The residential compound and the workplace of the infected person have been sealed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-records-two-year-high-in-covid-cases-weeks-before-winter-olympics-445515">Also read |&nbsp;China records two-year high in Covid cases weeks before Winter Olympics</a>

China has imposed a lockdown in several cities including Xi'an and Henan province. Health officials had put Xi'an city under strict lockdown as the city registered over 2,000 Covid cases in a month. Also, earlier this week, the authorities moved to lockdown

Anyang city after 58 coronavirus cases were reported including two Omicron cases.

Meanwhile, China on Monday recorded Covid cases that reached the highest levels since March 2020. With growing fears about the highly-transmissible Omicron strain challenging China's stringent approach to virus control, a senior health official told residents of the capital to "avoid buying goods from overseas" after saying a local case could have been infected by international post.

An office building in the west of Beijing was sealed off without advance warning while workers were still inside. Also, all these workers were subjected to compulsory Covid testing.

An office building in the west of Beijing was sealed off without advance warning while workers were still inside. Also, all these workers were subjected to compulsory Covid testing. This decision was made after an employee tested positive for the Omicron variant. All of this is happening mere three weeks before Winter Olympics has added to worry of the authorities. The residential compound and the workplace of the infected person have been sealed. Also read | China records two-year high in Covid cases weeks before Winter Olympics China has imposed a lockdown in several cities including Xi'an and Henan province. Health officials had put Xi'an city under strict lockdown as the city registered over 2,000 Covid cases in a month. Also, earlier this week, the authorities moved to lockdown Anyang city after 58 coronavirus cases were reported including two Omicron cases. Meanwhile, China on Monday recorded Covid cases that reached the highest levels since March 2020. With growing fears about the highly-transmissible Omicron strain challenging China's stringent approach to virus control, a senior health official told residents of the capital to "avoid buying goods from overseas" after saying a local case could have been infected by international post.

China: Office locked with workers trapped inside after Omicron case detected

With barely three weeks to go for the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese capital has detected its first case of omicron variant. China is already plagued by multiple covid-19 outbreaks and authorities are testing the other occupants of the patient's residential compound and office building. Access has been restricted to 17 locations linked to infected person.

First case of Omicron detected in Beijing ahead of Winter Olympics

In the latest development, reports by local Chinese media have stated that the Omicron variant of Covid could have entered Beijing through contaminated mail from Canada. On January 15, Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case. The residential compound and workplace of the infected person have been sealed.

The deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Pang Xinghuo said that the infected person received a letter mailed from Canada on January 7. She further revealed that the health authorities investigated the man’s post as the reason for infection when they got to know that he received overseas mail every now and then.

All employees who came in contact with the mail are in quarantine now. Eight people have tested negative so far.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-reports-first-local-omicron-case-weeks-ahead-of-olympic-games-445071">Also read |&nbsp;Beijing reports first local Omicron case weeks ahead of Olympic games</a>

While the Chinese authorities have repeatedly said that they have been detecting the virus on contaminated imports, a few researchers and health authorities remain sceptical about this method of transmission. The researchers argue that the virus does not survive long enough on surfaces.

As cases in China continue to surge, several cities including Xi'an and Henan province have imposed a lockdown. Health officials had put Xi'an city under strict lockdown as the city registered over 2,000 Covid cases in a month.&nbsp;

Chinese health officials had earlier imposed restrictions in the northern city of Tianjin as the Omicron variant spread in the area.

Tianjin had reported 21 cases of the domestically transmitted virus as authorities moved to clamp down on the movement of residents.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In the latest development, reports by local Chinese media have stated that the Omicron variant of Covid could have entered Beijing through contaminated mail from Canada.

In the latest development, reports by local Chinese media have stated that the Omicron variant of Covid could have entered Beijing through contaminated mail from Canada. On January 15, Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case. The residential compound and workplace of the infected person have been sealed. The deputy director of the Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Pang Xinghuo said that the infected person received a letter mailed from Canada on January 7. She further revealed that the health authorities investigated the man’s post as the reason for infection when they got to know that he received overseas mail every now and then. All employees who came in contact with the mail are in quarantine now. Eight people have tested negative so far. Also read | Beijing reports first local Omicron case weeks ahead of Olympic games While the Chinese authorities have repeatedly said that they have been detecting the virus on contaminated imports, a few researchers and health authorities remain sceptical about this method of transmission. The researchers argue that the virus does not survive long enough on surfaces. As cases in China continue to surge, several cities including Xi'an and Henan province have imposed a lockdown. Health officials had put Xi'an city under strict lockdown as the city registered over 2,000 Covid cases in a month. Chinese health officials had earlier imposed restrictions in the northern city of Tianjin as the Omicron variant spread in the area. Tianjin had reported 21 cases of the domestically transmitted virus as authorities moved to clamp down on the movement of residents. (With inputs from agencies)

Omicron in Beijing may have arrived by mail from Canada: Report

In what is said to be China's push for 'Zero-COVID' before Beijing Winter Olympics, around 20 million people have been ordered to stay indoors across the country.

China's push for 'Zero-COVID' before Beijing Winter Olympics

How will the Beijing winter Olympics pan out? How many spectators will be allowed in? Watch this report.

Beijing sets up Olympic bubble featuring robot chefs

Chinese capital city Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case on Saturday, states local media. This comes just a few weeks before the Olympic games. Pang Xinghuo, an official at the city's disease control authority, while speaking at a news briefing said that the lab testing found "mutations specific to the Omicron variant" in the person.

The residential compound of the infected person has been sealed as of now. His workplace has also been sealed.&nbsp;

Officials collected 2,430 testing samples from people who were linked to the location.&nbsp;

China has imposed a lockdown in several cities including Xi'an and Henan province. Health officials had put Xi'an city under strict lockdown as the city registered over 2,000 Covid cases in a month.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-xian-china-locks-down-another-city-as-omicron-cases-detected-443820">Also read |&nbsp;After Xi’an, China locks down another city as Omicron cases detected</a>

The city has become the epicentre of the virus as it recorded domestically-transmitted epidemic since the Wuhan outbreak.

Earlier this week, the authorities moved to lockdown Anyang city after 58 coronavirus cases were reported including two Omicron cases.

Chinese health officials had earlier imposed restrictions in the northern city of Tianjin as the Omicron variant spread in the area.

Tianjin had reported 21 cases of the domestically transmitted virus as authorities moved to clamp down on the movement of residents.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese capital city Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case on Saturday, states local media. This comes just a few weeks before the Olympic games.

Chinese capital city Beijing reported its first locally transmitted Omicron case on Saturday, states local media. This comes just a few weeks before the Olympic games. Pang Xinghuo, an official at the city's disease control authority, while speaking at a news briefing said that the lab testing found "mutations specific to the Omicron variant" in the person. The residential compound of the infected person has been sealed as of now. His workplace has also been sealed. Officials collected 2,430 testing samples from people who were linked to the location. China has imposed a lockdown in several cities including Xi'an and Henan province. Health officials had put Xi'an city under strict lockdown as the city registered over 2,000 Covid cases in a month. Also read | After Xi’an, China locks down another city as Omicron cases detected The city has become the epicentre of the virus as it recorded domestically-transmitted epidemic since the Wuhan outbreak. Earlier this week, the authorities moved to lockdown Anyang city after 58 coronavirus cases were reported including two Omicron cases. Chinese health officials had earlier imposed restrictions in the northern city of Tianjin as the Omicron variant spread in the area. Tianjin had reported 21 cases of the domestically transmitted virus as authorities moved to clamp down on the movement of residents. (With inputs from agencies)

Beijing reports first local Omicron case weeks ahead of Olympic games

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