New Delhi (CNN Business) US lawmakers are piling pressure on major American corporate sponsors of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as tensions between the United States and China over human rights and other issues remain high. A bipartisan committee of US politicians questioned representatives from Airbnb,andabout the Games during a Tuesday hearing focused on "Corporate Sponsorship of the 2022 Beijing Olympics." China has repeatedly denied allegations of human rights abuses, saying the centers are necessary to prevent religious extremism and terrorism. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Wednesday that some US politicians were attempting "to smear and discredit China in an attempt to interfere with and hinder the preparation and holding of the Beijing Winter Olympics." People wearing face masks walk past the countdown clock showing 200 days to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Source: CNN July 28, 2021 12:22 UTC