On October 29, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions regarding the United States' inclusion of Chinese companies in what is called an entity list related to the Xinjiang-related legislation.
Question: On October 28th, Eastern US time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that three Chinese entities have been added to the list of entities subject to the "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act". What is China's comment on this?
Answer: We have taken note of the relevant situation. There is no forced labor in China. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy freedom and equality in employment, and their rights and interests are effectively protected by law. The relevant measures taken by the US have no factual basis. The US continues to manipulate the issue of "human rights," using it as a cover for unilateral protectionism and bullying. China strongly condemns this and firmly opposes it.
The US has recently listed a large number of Chinese entities on the so-called sanctions list related to Xinjiang. China has expressed its strong objections and will take resolute measures to counter this. However, the US remains unmoved, continues to impose new sanctions by listing Chinese biotech companies on the sanctions list, despite China's firm opposition. Such actions by the US go against the consensus reached by the two heads of state, seriously undermine the stability of Sino-US economic and trade relations, and are also contrary to humanitarian principles. The US should immediately stop its political manipulation and smear attacks, as well as its unjust suppression of Chinese enterprises. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its own interests.
According to previous reports, in an announcement published in the U.S. Federal Register on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security listed products from China’s genomics giant BGI Group and its two affiliated companies on a so-called Entity List, using the argument of ‘forced labor’.
According to Bloomberg, although these companies have been listed on other restrictive lists in the United States before, facing restrictions such as access to US technology and contracting with the US government, this prohibition on imported products represents the “most severe measure” taken by the US to restrict their business activities so far.
The Chinese side stated that the actions of the US side lack factual basis, and urged the US government to stop its 'attacks and slander' against Chinese enterprises. It also indicated that necessary measures would be taken to protect the interests of Chinese enterprises. Liu Chang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, said in a statement: 'The measures taken by the US side seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of relevant Chinese enterprises and severely disrupt the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain.'
Huada Group and Huada Intelligent Manufacturing both issued statements denying the accusations made by the US side, and expressed respect for internationally recognized human rights principles and labor standards. Both companies also stated that their operations in the US represent only a small portion of their overall business.
Huada Group stated that it will 'actively communicate with relevant departments and take appropriate measures as necessary'. Huada Intelligent Manufacturing also said that it will challenge this designation decision and seek to have the company removed from the list.
In July this year, the United States listed some less well-known companies on a so-called “forced labor” list. In response, China imposed sanctions on six American entities.
