Xinjiang Cotton Problem: China Asks Foreign Companies Not To Politicize, To Open Visits To Cotton Fields

Illustration of Xinjiang. (Wikimedia Commons/Anagoria)

JAKARTA - Chinese authorities have again warned fashion retailers from Swwdia and other foreign companies not to be reckless to get involved in politics, after previously raising concerns about forced labor in Xinjiang that sparked a strong backlash and boycott in China.

A number of well-known foreign brands, such as H&M, Burberry, Adidas to Nike and its subsidiaries, have been boycotted in China since last week over comments about their cotton sourcing in Xinjiang.

Not only were Chinese netizens blasphemed, a number of Chinese celebrities were known to cancel cooperation with a number of brands that raised issues regarding Xinjiang.

"I don't think a company should politicize its economic behavior. Can H&M continue to make money in the Chinese market? Not anymore!" Xinjiang Government Spokesman XU Guixiang said in a statement Monday morning, as reported by Reuters.

"To rush into this decision and get involved in sanctions does not make sense. It's like lifting a rock to drop it on one's own feet," he continued.

Xu has repeatedly rejected accusations of genocide and human rights abuses in the region, accusing Western powers of engaging in political manipulation to destabilize China with the sanctions.

"They have lost their mind and conscience. They are very enthusiastic about political manipulation and abuse of sanctions, to a hysterical level, ”Xu said.

Another spokesman for the Xinjiang government, Elijan Anayat, stressed that Chinese citizens do not want the products of companies like H&M and Nike, which are boycotting Xinjiang cotton.

Anayat said he welcomed the company to take a trip to the cotton fields in the area to see for themselves what was going on.

"Their real purpose in making up the issue of genocide is to disrupt security and stability in China," said Anayat.

It is known that the United States, the European Union, and a number of other Western countries imposed sanctions on China last week in connection with alleged human rights violations of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.

China responds to this by imposing sanctions on countries that are subject to sanctions, including the European Union, as well as a number of agencies or organizations.