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China presses global fashion brands to reverse Xinjiang cotton boycott

  • Chinese social media users and clothing consumers strike back at firms refusing to buy cotton because of human rights issues against Uygurs
  • Celebrities in China terminate brand arrangements, adding to the backlash against labels such as Converse, Adidas and Calvin Klein

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China is applying pressure on global clothing brands to reverse their boycott of Xinjiang cotton. Photo: Xinhua
The Chinese government added to the backlash against foreign brands boycotting Xinjiang cotton, pressing the companies to “correct their mistakes” and respect the views of Chinese customers.

The ministries of foreign affairs and commerce upped the rhetorical ante on Thursday as more brands came under fire for refusing to buy Xinjiang cotton over claims of genocide and forced labour in the region.

“Chinese people do not allow some foreigners to eat Chinese food while smashing Chinese bowls,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said Beijing opposed external interference in Xinjiang, and that Xinjiang cotton could not be tarnished.

“Chinese consumers have responded with concrete actions to the so-called business decisions made by individual companies based on false information,” he said. “It is hoped that relevant companies will respect the laws of the market, correct wrong practices and avoid politicising commercial issues”.

The list of foreign firms embroiled in the controversy continued to grow on Thursday, with American shoe brand Converse and apparel firm Phillips-Van Heusen, which owns Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, joining the ranks of brands being boycotted by Chinese consumers.

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