World's Largest Solar Panel Manufacturer Longi Seized by US Customs

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Products from Longi, the world's largest solar panel manufacturer based in China, have been seized by U.S. Customs.

According to the China Securities Journal on the 4th, Longi announced the previous day that 40.31 megawatts of solar modules, equivalent to 1.6% of its annual exports to the U.S., were seized. The U.S. action is reportedly due to allegations related to human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China.

According to Bloomberg News, in recent months, modules from several companies including Longi have been seized by U.S. Customs in connection with Hoshine, a Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region-based company producing polysilicon, a key material for solar panels. The U.S. government banned imports of polysilicon produced by Hoshine in July, citing links to human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized at a regular briefing on the 4th, "The claim that forced labor exists in Xinjiang is a complete lie," and added, "We will take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.