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China claims it has improved people’s lives in Xinjiang after US warning
- White paper says the region ‘is now a stable and orderly society’, ethnic minorities have political representation and living standards are rising
- It follows US advisory telling firms they risk breaking the law by doing business there, citing evidence of forced labour and other rights abuses
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China’s cabinet has released a white paper claiming ethnic minorities in Xinjiang enjoy political representation and rising living standards, as the US warns companies about doing business in the region over allegations of forced labour and genocide.
The State Council issued the white paper on Wednesday, setting out what it says the central and regional governments have done to improve the lives of Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities.
“Xinjiang is now a stable and orderly society, where the local ethnic groups live in mutual harmony and peace, and the region is in an optimal period of development,” according to the white paper.
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China has since 2017 faced growing international criticism and pressure over its policies in Xinjiang and treatment of Uygur Muslims – including reports that more than a million people have been detained there – that the United States and other nations have said amount to genocide. Beijing denies the allegations.
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On Tuesday, the US State Department issued an advisory warning American firms that they may wind up breaking the law if they continue doing business in Xinjiang. “Given the severity and extent of these abuses, businesses and individuals that do not exit supply chains, ventures and/or investments connected to Xinjiang could run a high risk of violating US law,” the advisory said, citing evidence of forced labour, intrusive surveillance, genocide and other human rights abuses.
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