Photo: ANP
The US House of Representatives voted on Wednesday (428-1) on a stricter import policy for products originating from China’s Xinjiang region. Companies wishing to ship products from that region to the United States must be able to demonstrate “clear and convincing” evidence of no forced labor in production.
In Xinjiang, Uyghurs are mistreated, oppressed, and placed in reeducation camps. “Beijing is orchestrating a relentless and accelerating campaign against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities,” Democratic Representative and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said before the vote.
The Senate has not yet approved the House’s proposal, but it agreed to a similar request previously. US President Joe Biden will eventually have to sign the bill, and it’s not clear if he supports the plan either.
The vote comes days after the White House decided to diplomatically boycott the Winter Olympics early next year over human rights abuses in China. Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have followed this example.
