China opposes U.S. suppression of Chinese firms over so-called "forced labor prevention"

BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce expressed strong condemnation and resolute opposition on Saturday against the United States' recent announcement of adding over 40 Chinese entities to the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List."

The U.S. actions lack a factual basis, as it continues to abuse the so-called "human rights" and "forced labor" pretexts to impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese enterprises in accordance with its domestic laws, a spokesperson for the ministry said, adding that such move is typical economic coercion.

The U.S. measures have seriously undermined the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant Chinese enterprises and severely disrupted the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson specifically noted that on July 30, Chinese and U.S. economic and trade lead officials held a video call, during which the two sides had candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges on maintaining the stability of bilateral economic and trade relations.

However, just one day later, the U.S. introduced these malicious measures that harm China's interests, seriously departing from the consensus reached between the two heads of state, the spokesperson added.

China has always opposed forced labor, and at present, Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic prosperity and a peaceful life for its people, with no so-called "forced labor" in any form whatsoever, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson urged the U.S. to immediately stop its attacks and smears against Xinjiang, stop manipulating the so-called "forced labor" issue, and stop wantonly suppressing Chinese companies.

China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises, the spokesperson said. ■