About Xinjiang, British Luxury Brand Burberry Is Also Boycotted In China

JAKARTA - China's domestic criticism and boycott of foreign companies 'commenting on' China's internal problems regarding Xinjiang have continued, after the Bamboo Curtain country was sanctioned by Europe and the United States for alleged human rights violations in Xinjiang.

This time, it is the turn of the luxury brand Burberry to be threatened with a boycott in China. The UK-based luxury fashion brand had to lose its brand ambassador in China, until its tart design was removed from the popular video game.

Burberry is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, a group that promotes sustainable cotton production. Last October, Burberry announced a suspension of approval for cotton sourced from Xinjiang. The reason is human rights issues.

A month later, in a letter sent to the British Parliament, Burberry stated that he did not have any operations in Xinjiang, or work with any suppliers based there.

Burberry said it did not condone any modern forms of slavery between its suppliers, including forced, bonded or involuntary labor.

Burberry China did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Burberry cotton is sourced from the United States, Australia, Turkey, India and Egypt, according to its website.

Separately, China's National Textile and Clothing Council in a statement on Friday urged international brands to stop 'wrong behavior', including the exclusion of cotton from Xinjiang in their supply chains, out of respect for Chinese consumers.

"Award-winning Chinese actress Zhou Dongyu terminated her contract with Burberry as brand ambassador, because Burberry has not clearly and publicly stated its stance on cotton from Xinjiang," her agency said on Thursday.

The company's iconic plaid design was also removed from the clothing worn by the character in Tencent Holdings Ltd's hugely popular video game "Honor of Kings", according to a post on the game's official Weibo account. Uploads that get lectures from Chinese netizens.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip said she would stop buying Burberry.

"Burberry is one of my favorite brands. But I will stop buying Burberry products. I support my country in boycotting companies that spread lies about Xinjiang," Ip wrote on his Twitter account.

It is known that a number of companies in the fashion and apparel sector have drawn criticism and attacks on social media, leaving the Chinese public, including celebrities previously lined up to become brand ambassadors. After conveying critical views regarding Xinjiang, China's largest cotton producing region.

Prior to Burberry, there were fashion retailers H&M, Adidas AG and Nike Inc which had no reaction in China first. Their products are also in danger of being boycotted.

Earlier, UN rights activists and experts accused China of using mass detention, torture, forced labor and sterilization against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. China denies these claims and says its actions in the region are necessary to counter extremism.

China on Friday sanctioned organizations and individuals in Britain for what it called lies and disinformation about Xinjiang, days after Britain imposed sanctions over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.