The US has added three more companies to a list that bars imports from firms allegedly involved with Uygur forced labour in China, according to a US government notice posted online on Tuesday.
The latest targets include shoe manufacturer Dongguan Oasis Shoes Co, electrolytic aluminium maker Xinjiang Shenhuo Coal and Electricity Co and food processor Shandong Meijia Group Co, also known as Rizhao Meijia Group, the notice from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.
“Through these actions, DHS is increasing its focus on seafood, aluminium, and shoes – sectors that play an important role in Xinjiang’s economy – and ensuring goods made with forced labour are kept out of the US market,” the department said in a separate statement.
Scores of companies have been added to the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act Entity List, which restricts the import of goods tied to what the US government has characterised as an ongoing genocide of minorities in China’s western Xinjiang region.
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State-backed tourism booms in Xinjiang cities ringed by camps
State-backed tourism booms in Xinjiang cities ringed by camps
US officials say Chinese authorities have established labour camps for Uygurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. Beijing denies any abuses.
Asked to comment on the latest US move, Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu called allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang “nothing but an egregious lie propagated by anti-China forces and a tool for US politicians to destabilise Xinjiang and contain China’s development”.
Referring to the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act, he added: “It not only severely infringes on the human rights of people in Xinjiang but also destabilises global industrial and supply chains and sabotages international trade rules.”
