China's Commerce Ministry denies US accusation of forced labour in Xinjiang

China's Ministry of Commerce has strongly denied U.S. accusations that companies operating in the Xinjiang region utilize forced labor. The ministry stated on Saturday that the U.S. has no factual basis for adding Chinese companies to a list based on such allegations.

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the addition of Chinese companies to a list of entities that the US alleges use forced labour had no factual basis

Beijing views these U.S. actions as economic coercion that destabilizes global supply chains and infringes upon the legitimate rights of Chinese businesses. The ministry emphasized that China opposes forced labor and maintains that Xinjiang is a region of stability, prosperity, and freedom from such practices.

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the US actions disrupt the stability of global supply chains.

In its statement, China urged the United States to halt its "attacks and smearing" of Xinjiang and to end the "unfair pressure" exerted on Chinese companies. Beijing issued a clear warning that it will take necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of its companies.

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the US has used its domestic laws to impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies - a clear act of economic coercion that has harmed the companies' legitimate rights

This response comes after the U.S. announced a ban on imports from 43 additional Chinese companies. These companies were added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List due to alleged human rights abuses against Uyghur and other minority groups in Xinjiang, which the U.S. describes as ongoing genocide.

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China opposes forced labour and says the Xinjiang region - where the US says the alleged human rights abuses took place - is stable, prosperous and free of any "forced labour"