China needs to change its ways or face an Olympic boycott

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th Oct 2007

Colin Ross

Colin Ross will later tonight, in a speech to Shropshire Liberal Democrats, has called on China to change its ways or face an Olympic boycott.

Colin will say "Many of the problems we are facing on the international scene could have been averted and still can be averted if China decided to apply pressure or take action. Over Darfur China blocked sanctions at the United Nations, China is now a massive economic player in Africa particularly with oil-producing nations, they could apply the pressure on the Government they could end some of the bloodshed and at the very least not hinder UN attempts. China could have also put pressure on the Burmese junta to stop the recent killings of Monks and other protesters."

Colin will also say "China needs to take responsibilities for its own actions within China, they are rapidly becoming the biggest producer of carbon emissions and needs to help work on a solution to global warming. For too long China's human right's record have been ignored by the UK and the US it is time we challenged them on this record."

Colin will conclude by raising the prospect of an Olympic boycott by saying "With China desperate to have a successful Olympics in 2008 we have an excellent opportunity to say to tell them to help solve international problems and improve their internal human rights. Sporting boycotts have worked in the past and I am sure China would not like their Olympics to suffer - China it's time to change your ways or face a boycott!"