On July 31 local time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it has placed 43 Chinese companies on a list related to the so-called ‘Syria-related laws’, prohibiting their products from entering the United States. The Department of Homeland Security continues to promote the topic of ‘forced labor’, claiming that this measure is related to ‘national security’.
According to the Ministry of Commerce's website, on August 1st, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce responded to reporters regarding this American measure by stating that China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this action. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Reporter asked: On July 31st, Eastern US time, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that more than 40 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?
The spokesperson said that China has taken note of the relevant situation. The actions of the US side have no basis in fact. By constantly using the pretexts of “human rights” and “forced labor”, they are arbitrarily imposing unilateral sanctions on Chinese enterprises according to domestic laws. This is a typical example of economic coercion. The measures taken by the US side seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of relevant enterprises and severely undermine the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain.
The spokesperson noted that it is particularly important to emphasize that on July 30, the US and Chinese economic and trade leaders held a video call. They had an honest, in-depth, and constructive discussion regarding the maintenance of stable economic and trade relations. Just one day later, the US introduced measures that harm China's interests, completely deviating from the consensus reached by the two heads of state. China strongly condemns this and firmly opposes it.
The spokesperson stated that China has always opposed forced labor. At present, Xinjiang is characterized by social harmony and stability, economic prosperity and development, and people live in peace and contentment. There is absolutely no such thing as “forced labor” in any form. China urges the US to immediately stop attacking and distorting Xinjiang, stop manipulating the issue of so-called “forced labor,” and stop unjustly suppressing Chinese enterprises. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
