Question: For some time now, there have been people hyping up rumours about so-called "forced labour" in Xinjiang. Do you have any comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: For quite some time now, certain elements in the world, out of their ideological bias and anti-China agenda, have been fabricating and spreading false narratives about so-called “forced labour” in Xinjiang, and gone to great lengths to smear Xinjiang’s effort to ensure employment security. We firmly oppose and strongly condemn this.

People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy full freedom of employment, and their labour rights are protected in accordance with the law. People choose their jobs freely in the labour market, and the government promotes employment and the creation of new businesses. Employees of all ethnic groups and their employers establish labour relations on a voluntary basis. People have full freedom to choose their professions, and their freedom of movement has never been restricted in any way. The people’s government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region follows the Constitution of the International Labour Organization and other relevant international conventions, and strictly implements the Labour Law of the People's Republic of China and other domestic laws and regulations. The labour rights of employees in Xinjiang, including the rights to receive remuneration, take time off, have safe and clean working conditions, and enjoy social security and benefits, are lawfully protected.

This is well proven by the following facts and statistics: In the past decade, the per capita disposable income of Xinjiang residents doubled from 13,700 yuan to 28,900 yuan. In 2023, the disposable income of urban and rural residents in Xinjiang increased by 5.6% and 8.4% respectively. Xinjiang’s economic growth was among the highest in the country. In 2023, nearly 3 million people participated in collective labour negotiations in Xinjiang. More than 300 legal assistance venues have been established in Xinjiang, and trade unions and lawyers work to protect the rights and interests of employees and resolve their requests in accordance with the law.

The so-called "forced labour" narratives fly in the face of the facts, and distort and smear China's policy governing Xinjiang. They essentially are aimed at undermining Xinjiang's prosperity and stability and holding back China's development. They also undercut international trade rules and the stability of global supply chains. Such malicious attacks and smears against other countries are in no one’s interest, and should be unanimously opposed by the international community.