A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Monday slammed Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority for smearing the mainland on Xinjiang-related issues. 

The response came after H&M banned Xinjiang cotton which triggered widespread resistance from consumers. The DPP authority slandered the mainland, saying the freedom of religious belief was depressed in the region and that it will take "necessary measures" by referring to the international community. 

The mainland firmly opposes the DPP's malicious attempt to follow some western anti-China forces, said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Zhu added that the accusation of "forced labor" in Xinjiang by some anti-China forces purely aims to blacken the mainland's image and to destroy the favorable situation of stability and development in Xinjiang.

From 2010 to 2018, the Uygur population in Xinjiang rose from 10.17 million to 12.72 million, an increase of 2.55 million or 25.04 percent. The growth rate of the Uygur population is not only higher than that of Xinjiang's total population, which is 13.99 percent, but also higher than that of all ethnic minority groups, which is 22.14 percent. 

The regional GDP of Xinjiang grew 3.4 percent in 2020. The output of cotton is 5.2 million tons, accounting for 87.3 percent of the national total, Zhu said. 

Workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are equal and can choose their occupations voluntarily and freely. The rights and interests of their religious beliefs, culture, and language are also respected and guaranteed in accordance with the law, Zhu continued. 

Zhu said she believes that the majority of Taiwan compatriots who respect the facts and have a sense of justice will recognize the conspiracy of external anti-China forces and will see the advantages of Xinjiang's location in building the Belt and Road and the development opportunities brought to compatriots in Taiwan.  

"We welcome more Taiwan compatriots to visit Xinjiang, invest here, and feel the prosperity and stability of the real Xinjiang," Zhu said.