Chinanews.com, December 25. The China National Textile and Apparel Council website issued the "Solemn Statement" (hereinafter referred to as the "Declaration") on the 25th. The "Statement" pointed out that on December 23 (local time in the United States), the Biden administration signed the US participation The so-called "HR6256 Xinjiang-related Act" passed by the House of Representatives to exclude Xinjiang products from entering the U.S. market severely and rudely harmed China's overall interests and aroused great indignation among Chinese society, textile industry and consumers.
In this regard, the China National Textile and Apparel Council and the 12 industry associations of the China Textile Industry Chain jointly declared the following:
1. The Chinese textile industry fully agrees with the relevant position of the Chinese government. We firmly oppose the trade hegemony of the United States unilaterally through its domestic legislative and administrative measures to prevent Xinjiang products from entering the international supply chain.
In March, August, and March 2021, the China National Textile and Apparel Council issued solemn statements and statements on the so-called "Xinjiang-related" Act of the United States, the "Xinjiang Supply Chain Business Advisory Announcement" of the United States, and some international brands excluding Xinjiang cotton. Express strong dissatisfaction.
2. The US’s latest so-called Xinjiang-related legislation attempts to impose fake “forced labor” labels on all commodities produced in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region by means of “presumption of guilt”, setting a harsh and dangerous precedent in the field of international economic and trade rules.
The implementation of the so-called "rebuttable presumption" in the US Customs, setting up trade barriers to prevent Xinjiang products from entering the US market, and maliciously threatening multinational companies to independently purchase Xinjiang products, not only violates fair and reasonable market economy and free trade rules, but also clearly violates The legitimate rights and interests of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang to develop the economy and improve living standards through international trade is essentially a bullying that seriously violates Xinjiang’s basic human rights, interferes with and undermines the international supply chain, and harms the interests of international business circles and consumers.
3. Xinjiang cotton is a high-quality natural fiber raw material recognized by the global industry. It satisfies the global rigid consumer demand for cotton textiles and clothing. It is an important raw material guarantee for the healthy and sustainable development of China and the global textile industry.
In recent years, not only the cotton planting and production in Xinjiang has remained stable, but the cotton textile and clothing industry has also developed rapidly, which has played an important role in promoting regional economic development, solving employment for people of all ethnic groups, and improving people's livelihood and well-being.
Xinjiang cotton planting and cotton spinning industry is an important part of the global textile supply chain. In 2021, Xinjiang’s cotton output was 5.129 million tons, accounting for about 20% of global cotton output. The US government’s suppression of Xinjiang cotton and its products is bound to seriously harm the world. The security of the textile industry supply chain harms the vital interests of tens of millions of industrial workers around the world, and we strongly oppose this.
4. In January 2021, the Xinjiang Textile Industry Association issued a detailed and objective "Xinjiang Cotton Textile Industry Social Responsibility Report". The report fully demonstrated that there is no so-called "forced labor" in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with detailed data and information.
We recommend that all stakeholders in the global textile industry review the contents and opinions of the "Report", respect values based on facts, reject hypocritical political operations, and oppose malicious rumors.
We welcome international brands and institutions including American peers to visit and inspect Xinjiang cotton production areas and textile and garment factories to independently understand and judge relevant facts.
We are willing to provide convenience and assistance for related investigations and trade and investment cooperation.
5. We hereby call on the United States to face up to the solemn position of the Chinese government, industry and consumers and correct wrong legislative and administrative measures as soon as possible.
At the same time, international brands and the Chinese textile industry are a community of interests and destiny. We call on all international brands to respect the legitimate rights and interests of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Chinese textile industry, respect the free choice of more than 7 billion consumers around the world, and resist obvious malice and injustice. Trade bullying, avoid the politicization of business issues, and don't become a victim of US anti-China forces.
Depending on the further development of the situation, we will support the Chinese government to take all necessary countermeasures to safeguard Xinjiang's interests and industrial interests.
6. China has the world's largest textile and garment industry with the most complete and independent industrial chain. It has obvious international competitive advantages. At the same time, it has also built the world's largest textile and garment intermediate market and retail market.
In the course of development over the past few decades, China's textile industry has formed a mutually beneficial and win-win supply chain partnership with a large number of international brands and purchasers.
With the new crown epidemic since last year, the Chinese textile industry has made important contributions to the protection of global epidemic prevention materials such as masks and protective clothing by relying on industrial chain supporting, high efficiency and production advantages and industrial workers' hard work. The United States should not cross the river and demolish the bridge.
At the same time, China's textile and apparel consumer market, which ranks first in retail sales in the world, is also fully open to international brands.
We firmly believe that the Chinese textile industry will unite and do its own thing, and effectively deal with the malicious provocation of the so-called "U.S. Xinjiang-related Act."
With the support of all domestic and foreign consumers and industry partners who believe in justice, we are confident and more capable of safeguarding the industrial safety and legitimate rights and interests of China's textile industry chain and realizing the sustainable and healthy development of China's textile industry.
7. As a representative of the collective interests of China’s textile and garment industry, the China National Textile and Apparel Council and the 12 industry associations in the textile industry hereby pledge that we will continue to firmly support the planting and production of cotton in Xinjiang, and firmly support the development of Xinjiang cotton and its products. Trade and consumption at home and abroad fully support the prosperity and development of Xinjiang's textile and garment industry.
We believe that justice is in the hearts of the people.
The Chinese textile industry will work closely with global partners to eliminate interference and make every effort to ensure the normal operation of the international textile and apparel industry chain supply chain.
China National Textile and Apparel Council
China Cotton Textile Industry Association
China Wool Textile Industry Association
China Linen Textile Industry Association
China Silk Association
China Chemical Fiber Industry Association
China Printing and Dyeing Industry Association
China Knitting Industry Association
China Home Textile Industry Association
China Filament Weaving Association
China Industrial Textile Industry Association
China Textile Machinery Association
China Garment Association