China's cotton industry has strongly opposed the U.S. sanctions imposed on 43 Chinese companies over allegations of forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The China Cotton Association stated on August 2 that the U.S. claims of "forced labor" lack factual and legal basis, as reported by the China News Service on August 3. The association emphasized that over 90% of cotton in Xinjiang is now harvested by machines, and the entire production process, from cultivation to processing and weaving, has achieved high levels of automation and scale. They asserted that the U.S. claims of forced labor in Xinjiang are untrue, adding that the rights of cotton farmers and industrial workers are strictly protected under Chinese law, and employment choices are completely free.
The association further criticized the U.S. for presuming guilt on Chinese companies while ignoring objective facts, stating that the essence of the sanctions is to politicize and weaponize human rights issues to suppress the development of China's cotton and textile industry. They expressed confidence in their ability to respond adequately to U.S. pressure, highlighting that China possesses the most complete industrial supply chain in the world, a vast domestic market, and diversifying overseas markets.
Earlier, on July 31, the U.S. government announced on its website that it had added 43 Chinese companies to the list of entities subject to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). This brings the total number of Chinese companies on the UFLPA sanctions list to 187. The newly sanctioned companies produce gold, cotton, clothing, and frozen foods, and their products will be banned from import into the U.S. starting August 3.
In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a statement on August 1, criticizing the U.S. for continuing unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies under the pretext of human rights and forced labor, calling it a typical act of economic coercion. The ministry reaffirmed its position that no form of forced labor exists in Xinjiang and urged the U.S. to stop its slander against Xinjiang and the unjust oppression of Chinese companies. It also stated that necessary measures would be taken to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.