China demands US lift Xinjiang cotton, tomato import ban

China on Thursday demanded Washington drop a ban on cotton and tomato imports from its Muslim rthwest over complaints y are produced by forced labour, which a spokesman dismissed as “lie of century.” ban anunced Wednesday adds to a flurry of sanctions imposed by Trump administration against Chinese officials, companies and goods over human rights, security and or complaints.Its commercial impact is unclear, but Beijing is sensitive to criticism about Xinjiang region, where more than 1 million Uighurs and or Muslim mirities have been confined in detention camps.

Beijing denies mistreating m and says it is trying to promote ecomic development and stamp out radicalism.

“ so-called forced labour issue is a lie of century fabricated out of thin air,” said a foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian.

He accused United States of wanting to hurt Chinese companies and countrys development.

“We urge U.S. side to respect facts, immediately withdraw its wrong decision and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under pretext of Xinjiang-related issues,” Zhao said.

Zhao said Beijing would “safeguard its interests and dignity” but gave indication of possible retaliation. government has made similar statements following earlier U.S. sanctions but took action.Xinjiang is a major cotton supplier to clothing producers in China as well as Bangladesh, Vietnam and or countries. That makes U.S. ban a potential challenge for retailers or clothing brands that will be required to ensure ir products are free of Xinjiang cotton.Zhao warned ban would disrupt such global supply chains.

“It is detrimental to interests of enterprises and consumers of all countries, including United States itself,” he said.

Xinjiang also is a major supplier of tomato paste to foreign food brands, but its main markets are Europe and Middle East. United States imported about $9 billion worth of cotton goods directly from China last year, according to U.S. government.

Earlier, Washington imposed a ban in December on imports from a company that controls about one-third of Xinjiang cotton production. government said it has stopped shipments worth about USD 2 million.Canada and Britain also have anunced plans to block imports of goods produced by forced labour.

Trump administration has blocked imports from individual companies linked to forced labour in Xinjiang. It has imposed travel bans and or sanctions on Communist Party officials with prominent roles in campaign.

(IM CREDITS:AP)