Photo courtesy of Anadolu
China denounced the United States’ decision to add more than 40 Chinese entities to a trade blacklist over alleged links to forced labor in Xinjiang.
A spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry said the move lacked factual basis and amounted to economic coercion, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Beijing said Washington used allegations of forced labor and human rights abuses to justify unilateral sanctions under US law.
The ministry maintained that the restrictions would damage the rights of Chinese companies and disrupt global production and supply chains.
China also criticized the timing of the announcement, which came a day after trade officials from both countries held talks aimed at maintaining stable economic relations.
Beijing denied that forced labor existed in Xinjiang and said it opposed the politicization of human rights issues.
The United States added 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List on Friday over alleged ties to forced labor involving Uyghurs and other minority groups.
China said it would take measures to protect the interests of affected firms, while Washington has maintained that the restrictions are intended to prevent goods linked to forced labor from entering the US market.
