The Xinjiang Cotton Association has called on the international community to treat its cotton with fairness and objectivity, urging global brands like Uniqlo to reconsider their decision to cease sourcing from the region.
In a statement released on Thursday, the association expressed hope that Uniqlo would restore its use of Xinjiang cotton, following remarks by the company’s founder, Tadashi Yanai. Yanai recently told the BBC that Uniqlo no longer sources cotton from Xinjiang.
Highlighting the superior quality of Xinjiang cotton, the association emphasized its significant contributions to the global textile industry. “Our cotton is among the best in the world, meeting both domestic and international demand while supporting local economic growth,” the statement read.
The association noted that the Xinjiang cotton industry has created numerous job opportunities, lifting many families out of poverty. With advancements in mechanization and sustainability, cotton production has become a crucial pillar of the local economy. The industry boasts a 100% mechanization rate for planting and approximately 90% for harvesting.
The association also addressed allegations of “forced labor” in the region, criticizing them as baseless and unjust. “Politicizing human rights issues undermines the livelihoods of our workers and deprives them of their right to improve their lives through legitimate employment,” they stated.
At a press conference on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated that there is no “forced labor” in Xinjiang. Lin called on the international community to refrain from spreading misinformation and invited foreign visitors to witness the realities of Xinjiang firsthand.
“We urge textile companies to approach anti-Xinjiang rhetoric with rational analysis based on objective facts,” the association concluded. “We hope global brands will respect and trust Xinjiang cotton, resuming its use to support the healthy development of the global textile industry.”
Reference(s):
Xinjiang cotton industry calls for objective treatment of its cotton
cgtn.com
