Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused Washington of using ‘forced labour’ allegations to suppress Chinese companies, warning that Beijing would take action to defend their interests during a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
“The US side continues to fabricate lies regarding Xinjiang, using the pretext of so-called forced labor to wantonly suppress Chinese enterprises. China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition,” Guo said.
“This so-called forced labor is nothing more than a lie of the century concocted by anti-China elements, aimed at destabilising Xinjiang, smearing China, and containing China’s development,” he added.
Guo then issued a direct warning to Washington over its use of human rights allegations against Chinese businesses.
“China urges the US to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and curbing China’s development under the guise of human rights; China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises,” he continued.
His remarks followed Wednesday’s decision by the US Department of Homeland Security to blacklist three Chinese biotechnology firms, BGI Genomics, MGI Tech and Shenzhen BGI Technology, also known as BGI Group, bringing the total number of listed entities to 190.
Washington accused the companies of supporting genetic testing and surveillance linked to alleged forced labour in Xinjiang.
Under US law, goods produced by blacklisted companies are barred from entering the country unless importers can prove they were made without forced labour.
BGI Group and MGI Tech rejected the allegations, saying their US operations accounted for only a small share of their business.
The dispute adds another point of friction to US-China trade relations ahead of an expected November meeting between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
Source: Viory
