China slammed the US for blacklisting several Chinese companies, accusing it of trying to “contain” China’s development.
Chinese Response
In a statement published on Wednesday, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the allegations of “forced labour” in Xinjiang were “nothing but an enormous lie propagated by anti-China elements to smear China.”
“It is the very opposite of the fact that the labour rights of people of all ethnic backgrounds in Xinjiang are effectively protected,” the spokesperson retorted.
They added that the US’ enforcement of the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act “on the basis of such a lie” is “detrimental to international trade rules and the stability of global industrial and supply chains.”
Moreover, the spokesperson alleged that Washington’s “move to blacklist Chinese entities and go after more Chinese companies” is aimed at undermining Xinjiang’s “prosperity and stability” and containing “China’s development.”
“We condemn and reject this and will take strong measures to firmly safeguard Chinese companies’ lawful rights and interests,” the statement concluded.
US Blacklisting
China’s retort comes after the US on Wednesday sanctioned two more Chinese companies over their alleged forced labour practices, accusing them of exploiting members of persecuted groups in China, including the Uyghur Muslim minority.
In a statement, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that goods produced by battery manufacturer Camel Group and spice manufacturer Chenguang Biotech Group, would be prohibited from entering the country as of Wednesday.
The latest sanctions aim to “eliminate the use of forced labour practices in the US supply chain,” the DHS said on Tuesday.
They also seek to “promote accountability for the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups” in China’s western Xinjiang province.
“We will continue to work with all of our partners to keep goods made with forced labour from Xinjiang out of US commerce while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade,” US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in Tuesday’s statement.
China has rejected such allegations on multiple occasions, arguing its policies towards the Uyghurs, as well as other ethnic minorities, are necessary to fight “extremism.”
China Slams US for Blacklisting Chinese Firms Over Alleged Forced Labour Practices
Beijing alleges that Washington’s move is aimed at undermining Xinjiang’s “prosperity and stability” and containing “China’s development.”
August 3, 2023
IMAGE SOURCE: RSAARepresentational image.