Heavyweight: China Textile Industry Federation Issued A Solemn Statement

On December 23 (U.S. local time), the Biden government signed the so-called "h.r.6256 Xinjiang related act" passed by the US Senate and the house of representatives to exclude Xinjiang products from entering the U.S. market, which seriously and grossly damaged China's overall interests and aroused great indignation among Chinese society, textile industry and consumers. In this regard, China Textile Industry Federation and 12 industry associations of China textile industry chain jointly declare as follows:

1. China's textile industry fully agrees with the relevant position of the Chinese government. We firmly oppose the United States' unilateral trade hegemony of blocking Xinjiang products from entering the international supply chain through its domestic legislation and administrative measures. In March, August, 2020 and March, 2021, the China Textile Industry Federation has issued solemn statements and expressed strong dissatisfaction on the so-called "Xinjiang related" bill of the United States, the "Xinjiang supply chain business advisory notice" of the United States, and the exclusion of Xinjiang cotton by some international brands.

2. The latest so-called Xinjiang related legislation of the United States tries to impose the forged "forced labor" label on all commodities produced in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region by means of "presumption of guilt", setting a bad and dangerous precedent in the field of international economic and trade rules. It is not only against the fair and reasonable market economy and free trade rules, but also obviously infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to develop their economy and improve their living standards through international trade, In essence, it is a kind of bullying behavior that seriously violates the basic human rights of Xinjiang, interferes with and destroys the international supply chain, and damages the interests of international business and consumers.

3. Xinjiang cotton is recognized as a high-quality natural fiber raw material in the global industry, which can better meet the rigid consumption demand of cotton textiles and clothing worldwide, and is an important raw material guarantee for the healthy and sustainable development of China's and even the global textile industry. In recent years, not only has cotton planting and production remained stable in Xinjiang, but also the cotton textile and clothing industry has developed rapidly, which has played an important role in promoting regional economic development, solving employment problems for people of all ethnic groups and improving people's livelihood. Xinjiang's cotton planting and cotton spinning industry are an important part of the global textile supply chain. In 2021, Xinjiang's cotton output is 5.219 million tons, accounting for about 20% of the global cotton output. The US government's crackdown on Xinjiang's cotton and its products is bound to seriously endanger the security of the global textile industry supply chain and damage the vital interests of tens of millions of industrial workers around the world. We strongly oppose this.

4. In January 2021, Xinjiang Textile Industry Association issued a detailed and objective report on social responsibility of cotton textile industry in Xinjiang. The report fully shows that there is no so-called "forced labor" in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with detailed data and materials. We suggest that all relevant stakeholders in the global textile industry consult the contents and views of the report, respect the values based on facts, reject hypocritical political operations and oppose malicious rumors. We welcome international brands and institutions, including American peers, to visit Xinjiang cotton producing areas and textile and garment factories to independently understand and judge relevant facts. We are willing to provide convenience and assistance for relevant inspection and trade and investment cooperation.

5. We call on the United States to face up to the solemn position of the Chinese government, industry and consumers, and correct the wrong legislative and administrative measures as soon as possible. At the same time, international brands and China's textile industry are a community of interests and shared destiny. We call on all international brands to respect the legitimate rights and interests of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and China's textile industry, respect the free choice rights of more than 7 billion global consumers, resist obviously malicious and unfair trade bullying, avoid politicization of commercial issues, and do not become victims of Anti China forces in the United States. Depending on the further development of the situation, we will support the Chinese government to take all necessary counter-measures to safeguard the interests of Xinjiang and industry.

6. China has the largest textile and clothing industry in the world with the most complete and independent industrial chain. It has obvious international competitive advantages. At the same time, it has built the world's largest textile and garment intermediate market and retail market. In the past decades, China's textile industry has formed a mutually beneficial and win-win supply chain partnership with a large number of international brands and buyers. With the new epidemic situation since last year, China's textile industry has made important contributions to the global supply of anti epidemic materials such as masks and protective clothing by virtue of its industrial chain supporting, high efficiency and productivity advantages, as well as the painstaking efforts of industrial workers. At the same time, China's textile and clothing consumer market, which ranks first in the world in retail sales, is also fully open to international brands. We firmly believe that China's textile industry will unite, do its own work well, and effectively respond to the malicious provocation of the so-called "US frontier related act". With the support of all domestic and foreign consumers and industry partners who believe in justice, we are confident and more capable of safeguarding the industrial safety and legitimate rights and interests of China's textile industry chain and realizing the sustainable and healthy development of China's textile industry.

7. As the representative of the collective interests of China's textile and garment industry, China Textile Industry Federation and 12 industry associations of the whole textile industry chain hereby promise that we will continue to firmly support the cotton planting and production in Xinjiang, firmly support the trade and consumption of Xinjiang cotton and its products at home and abroad, and fully support the prosperity and development of Xinjiang's textile and clothing industry. We believe that justice is in the heart of the people. China's textile industry will work closely with global partners to eliminate interference and ensure the normal operation of the international textile and clothing industry chain supply chain.