Intel apologizes for requesting suppliers to avoid products from China's Xinjiang region

A day after facing a backlash from Chinese government as well as local customers, Intel has tendered an unconditional apology for letter it h sent. apology from world's largest semiconductor chip manufacturer came after it h uploed a letter about discontinuation of assignments from dealers working from Xinjiang regions. Notably, letter from intel came nearly two days after Biden ministration imposed new sanctions on firms from importing products manufactured by forced labour. According to Joe Biden ministration, several Chinese biotech and surveillance companies and government entities purchase equipment from US-based firms and n use it against minority communities in China. 

Subsequently, Intel, which has a large share in Chinese market, has posted a letter on social media platform about ir decision to discourage products manufactured by Muslim minorities community, particularly Uyghurs. Intel’s request was “arrogant and vicious,” said Global Times, a newspaper published by Communist government. “So-called forced labour and or allegations on Xinjiang are completely lies concocted by anti-China forces," said Chines Foreign Ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian. He called on Intel to “respect facts and tell right from wrong.”

What apology letter says?

Following this, developer of x86 series of microprocessors, processors found in most personal computers, issued a clarification-cum-apology letter on China-controlled social media platform, WeChat. "We apologise for trouble caused to our respected Chinese customers, partners, and public," Sputnik quoted Intel as saying. Furr, company explained that letter was meant to follow US laws. "Intel is striving to be a reliable technology partner to China." It is worth noting Intel is not only brand that has been facing a backlash in China but big brands like Nike and H&M are also facing same issue in Beijing. After Communist government issued a warning in Global Times, Pop singer Wang Junkai, announced he was pulling out of a deal to act as a "brand ambassor" for Intel's Core line of processor chips.  

US sanctions on China

According to official who spoke on condition of anonymity, US secret services found China has set up a high tech surveillance system across western region, Xinjiang, that uses biometric facial recognition. intelligence agency has also discovered that Beijing has assembled DNA samples from all residents including, minors to elderly. As per findings, children from age group of 12 are targeted by Xi Jinping-led government. "A review by multiple federal agencies determined that Chinese acemy and research institutes use biotechnology processes to support Chinese military end-uses and end-users, to include purported brain-control weaponry," US Commerce Department said in a finding report. It is worth mentioning in July this year, US Senate h passed legislation to ban import of products from China's Xinjiang region as it assumed goods produced re are me with forced labour. Senate h noted that se Chinese firms played a major role in continuing Beijing "genocide and crimes against humanity."  

(Image: AP)