Tesla Opens Xinjiang Branch in China Amid US-China Tensions

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Chinese government and state-run media strongly criticized the U.S. government for sending a warning message to Tesla, the American electric vehicle company that opened a store in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 6th regarding American politicians' criticism of Tesla's entry into Xinjiang, "We have heard the U.S. side say that they should not turn a blind eye to what is happening in Xinjiang."

He added, "Why does the U.S. turn a blind eye to the fact that articles by various international media and scholars state that the forced labor allegations in Xinjiang are biased claims, and that nearly 100 countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council have supported the Chinese government's position on Xinjiang?"

This was a counterattack to White House spokesperson Jen Psaki's recent statement regarding Tesla's opening of a store in Xinjiang, saying, "The international community, including both public and private sectors, should not turn a blind eye to what is happening in Xinjiang."

Spokesperson Wang claimed, "The U.S. fabricating lies about Xinjiang only makes the world recognize the false nature of their statements about protecting human rights."

On the same day, Global Times editorial criticized the U.S. law called the "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act," which contains a principle-based import ban on Xinjiang products, calling it "an evil law built on lies" and pointed out that "multinational companies operating in China have no obligation to comply."

It added, "In Tesla's case, it only opened a store and sells cars in Xinjiang, which has nothing to do with so-called forced labor," and "Tesla was criticized by the U.S. government not because it broke the law, but because it went against the U.S. government's policy of suppressing Xinjiang."

The editorial further stated, "The U.S. is forcing not only its allies but also multinational companies to choose sides," and questioned, "How much longer will the U.S.'s hegemonic actions against the tide continue?"

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a briefing on the 4th (local time) when asked about Tesla opening a dealership in China's Xinjiang region, "I cannot speak to the specifics of one company’s situation, but generally, the private sector should oppose China’s human rights abuses and ethnic genocide in Xinjiang."

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act on the 23rd of last month, which in principle bans the import of goods produced in the Xinjiang region (effective six months after signing).

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