China strongly condemns US sanctions on three Chinese entities on grounds of 'forced labor'

Beijing – China expressed its strong condemnation and opposition on Thursday to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to add three Chinese entities to its sanctions list under the pretext of “human rights,” describing the move as “unilateral protectionist practices and bullying.” In a statement carried by the Xinhua News Agency, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that the Wednesday inclusion of those entities on the sanctions list, pursuant to the “Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act,” which affects the majority of whose population resides in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region, has no factual basis. The ministry noted that Washington had already added a large number of Chinese entities to the sanctions list under the same pretext some time ago, prompting Beijing to lodge a formal protest and take countermeasures; however, the U.S. side failed to correct its mistakes and went further by imposing new sanctions on Chinese biotech companies. It viewed the U.S. step as inconsistent with the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, severely undermining the stability of bilateral economic and trade relations, and contrary to the spirit of humanity, urging Washington to immediately stop “political manipulation, smearing China, and unjustly suppressing Chinese companies.” It reaffirmed that there is no “forced labor” in China, that people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang work freely and on an equal basis, and that their rights are effectively protected under the law, pledging to take necessary measures to defend China’s interests. (End) S L Q / F D S