The United States on Thursday banned imports from five more Chinese companies over alleged human rights abuses involving Uighurs, according to a government posting, a move that comes as part of an effort to eliminate goods made with forced labor from American supply chains.
These companies include Hong Kong-based Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings 0601.HK and its parent Century Sunshine Group Holdings 0509.HK, which make magnesium fertiliser and magnesium alloy products. They also include Xinjiang Hubaihe Ashley Copper Co, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Co 601899.SS, which mines non-ferrous metals.
The targeted companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
These companies are included in the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, which bans imports by the US government linked to the ongoing genocide of minorities in China’s western Xinjiang region.
The list now includes more than 70 companies involved in products such as cotton apparel, automotive parts, vinyl flooring and solar panels.
The list identifies those who work with the government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to recruit Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz or members of other persecuted groups and transport them out of the region, as well as those who receive materials from the region or from people working with the Xinjiang government.
US officials say Chinese authorities have set up labor camps for Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. Beijing denies any abuses.
“The so-called ‘forced labour’ in Xinjiang is a blatant lie propagated by anti-China forces and a tool for US politicians to destabilise Xinjiang and hinder China’s development,” a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said in a statement on Thursday. “China will continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate and legal rights and interests of Chinese companies”.
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