Question: Recently, UK MPs Tom Tugendhat and Iain Duncan Smith published articles claiming that, while reflecting on its history of slavery, the UK government should pay greater attention to the issue of modern slavery and take action, citing the so-called “forced labour” in Xinjiang. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: Tom Tugendhat and Iain Duncan Smith are notorious anti-China politicians. Instead of earnestly reflecting on the UK's shameful history of the transatlantic slave trade, they continue to peddle the lie of the century about the so-called “forced labour” in Xinjiang. This once again shows that they are morally bankrupt.

There is no such thing as “forced labour” in Xinjiang. Rather, there is voluntary employment and free choice of occupation, and the lawful labour rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups are fully protected. Xinjiang today enjoys overall social stability and sustained economic growth; its people live and work in contentment. The region is experiencing the best period of development in its history, with people of all ethnic groups working together for a better life.

Driven by their anti-China obsession and self-serving political calculations, certain UK politicians continue to spread lies about Xinjiang in an attempt to tarnish China's image, mislead the British public and undermine China-UK relations. They are nothing more than clowns making fools of themselves. Their actions will only bring humiliation upon themselves and are doomed to fail.