China warned today that a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics by US government officials could harm two-way dialogue and cooperation in important areas.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the United States' "plot" of trying to disrupt the Olympics was doomed to fail, leading to a loss of "moral authority and credibility".

China opposed the boycott and would take "resolute countermeasures", Zhao told a regular media briefing in the capital, Beijing.

- Reuters