China opposes US suppression of Chinese firms over so-called 'forced labor prevention'

China condemned the United States' decision to add more than 40 Chinese entities to the entity list under the so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, saying the move seriously undermines the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and disrupts the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Responding to the US move announced on Friday, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that the US action is groundless and is yet another attempt to impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies under the pretext of so-called human rights and forced labor.

Describing the move as a typical act of economic coercion, the spokesperson noted Chinese and US lead officials for economic and trade affairs held a candid, in-depth and constructive video call on Thursday. The two sides exchanged views on maintaining stable bilateral economic and trade relations.

"Just one day later, the US introduced such egregious measures that harm China's interests, seriously deviating from the consensus reached by the two heads of state," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson reiterated China has consistently opposed forced labor and said there is no such thing as so-called forced labor in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, adding that the region enjoys social harmony and stability, sustained economic development and rising living standards.

China urged the US to immediately stop attacking and smearing Xinjiang, stop exploiting the so-called forced labor issue, and stop its unwarranted suppression of Chinese companies, said the spokesperson, stressing that China will take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses.