Steven Spielberg boycotts Chinese Olympics

Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg was an artistic adviser to the Chinese Olympic Games

Oscar-winning film director Steven Spielberg has pulled out as artistic adviser to the Beijing Olympics over the Chinese government's policy towards Sudan and the conflict in Darfur.

"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual," he said in a statement.

Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg was an artistic adviser to the Chinese Olympic Games

"At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."

More than 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict between Sudan's Arab-dominated government and Darfur's ethnic African rebels.

Human rights activists have accused China of being partly responsible for the trouble in Darfur because of its diplomatic backing of the Sudanese government.

Spielberg said: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing suffering there.

"China's economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for change."

China is the biggest customer of Sudan's oil, and there have been complaints by officials the Games were being politicised after China was the target of Darfur advocates.

Last year the Hollywood director sent a letter to Chinese president Hu Jintao urging greater action in Darfur. The move comes after campaigning from other celebrities such as Mia Farrow, who welcomed Spielberg's withdrawal.

British Olympic badminton player Richard Vaughan, who competed in the 2004 Athens games, said it was vital athletes challenged the Chinese government to use its trade links to put pressure on the Sudanese government over Darfur.

His comments follow a "gag" on athletes after the British Olympic Association announced team members could be sent home if they spoke out about China's human rights record.

Mr Vaughan said: "I appreciate it's a difficult position for the British Olympic Committee, but it's very difficult to keep a polite silence about a conflict that continues to cost so many lives.

"In the spirit of the Games, I would ask China as all nations to help Darfur so that athletes can compete safe in the knowledge that everything is being done to stop the conflict."

Outside the Chinese Embassy in London, protesters called on China to use its power in Sudan to call for an end to atrocities in Darfur.