(News 1st); US President Joe Biden has said that he is weighing a US diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic games due to be held in Beijing, China.

“That is something we are considering,” he told reporters ahead of talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.

A diplomatic boycott would mean that no US officials are sent to attend the games. The decision comes amid rising tension in the US-China relationship.

On Monday, Biden held his first direct talks with China’s Xi Jinping.

At the White House, Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the US and China leaders did not discuss the Olympics during their three-hour virtual meeting on Monday.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for a diplomatic boycott as a means to protest against Chinese human rights abuses.

• One injured in shooting in Thalpe
• 1877 senior and junior sailors promoted
• “Proposed Electricity Bill not to be tabled on 13th December”, says Minister of Power and Energy
• China to reduce visa fees by 25% to draw tourists
• Operating hours of liquor stores, revised