Japan
Major
Japanese apparel makers and other companies are in a dilemma over Xinjiang
cotton, considered one of the best cottons in the world.
Beyond
its high global esteem, Xinjiang cotton is seen as symbolizing China’s
repression of ethnic minority Uyghurs, mostly Muslim, in the Xinjiang Uyghur
Autonomous Region. Users of the cotton are increasingly facing backlash from
the international community.
In
May, it was learned that the United States had blocked imports of shirts for
Fast Retailing Co.’s Uniqlo casual wear chain, alleging that they were made
from Xinjiang cotton. U.S. Customs and Border Protection took the action
against Uniqlo on suspicion of violating a U.S. ban on the import of goods from
the Chinese region.
Uniqlo
denied the U.S. allegations, saying that the shirts were made from cotton
produced outside China and sewn at its plant in the country. The clothing chain
also said it had not confirmed any use of forced labour in the production
process for the cotton it uses.
Under
the new U.S. rules, however, it is not enough for importers to prove that
cotton they use was not made in Xinjiang. They are required to provide evidence
that there has been no trade whatsoever with the Xinjiang Production and Construction
Corps, a Communist Party of China-affiliated economic and paramilitary
organization in the region, at any stage of the marketing channel after
production.
Mizuno
Corp., a comprehensive producer of sporting goods, announced a decision in May
to stop using Xinjiang cotton, while underwear maker Gunze Ltd. was considering
an end to the use of the cotton.
Users
of Xinjiang cotton face a dilemma. They are
criticized by U.S. and European NGOs and investors for low awareness of human
rights if they continue using the cotton, but they may be forced out of the
Chinese market if they stop using it.
Source:
The Japan Times
Image Source: Google Images
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