Australia is joining a global pushback, announcing a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

No officials or politicians will attend the Games.

Federal Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said they were backing Australian athletes to still compete but Australia would be more “reserved in terms of participation of government officials”.

“As a government we continue to be open and willing to talk to China about the points of difference we have and try to resolve those,” he told 4BC Drive.

“One of those points of difference we have long held concerns about … are the human rights abuses in China and in particular the treatment of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang province in China where there have been many reported and systemic seemingly acts of abuse and concern.”

Press PLAY below to hear his response as to how it could impact the already tense relationship with China