China condemns US for adding three firms to Xinjiang forced labour list
China's commerce ministry on 29 October strongly condemned the US for adding three Chinese companies to a Xinjiang forced labour blacklist, saying the allegations are baseless and the US is 'unrepentant' after previous sanctions. Beijing vowed necessary countermeasures.
China's commerce ministry on 29 October strongly condemned the US Department of Homeland Security for adding three Chinese entities to the 'Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act' entity list, insisting there is no forced labour in China. The ministry said Xinjiang's ethnic groups enjoy free and equal employment and their labour rights are fully protected by law, and accused Washington of having no factual basis for the move.
The ministry's spokesperson said the US is repeatedly manipulating 'human rights' issues as a pretext for unilateral protectionism and bullying. Beijing 'strongly condemns and firmly opposes' the decision.
The spokesperson noted that Washington had recently placed a large number of Chinese entities on the same Xinjiang-related list. China had lodged solemn representations and taken countermeasures. But the US, 'unrepentant', ignored China's opposition and imposed new sanctions targeting Chinese biomedical technology firms, the spokesperson said.
The listing, the spokesperson added, deviates from the consensus reached by the two heads of state, severely undermines the stability of China-US economic and trade relations, and violates the spirit of humanitarianism. Washington should immediately stop its political manipulation, smear attacks and unwarranted suppression of Chinese companies.
China will take necessary measures to resolutely defend its interests, the ministry said.