China slams US move to add Chinese firms to 'forced labor' entity list

China on Saturday slammed the United States' decision to add more than 40 Chinese entities to a list under the "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act," calling the move an act of economic coercion and urging Washington to stop unwarranted suppression of Chinese companies.

The US move, announced by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday, lacked a factual basis and abused domestic laws to impose unilateral sanctions on Chinese firms under the pretext of "human rights" and "forced labor," a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson told reporters.

It was a typical act of economic coercion, undermining the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and disrupting the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the spokesperson said.

Noting that trade officials from China and the US held a video call on Thursday and had a candid, in-depth and constructive exchange on maintaining stable economic and trade ties, the spokesperson said Washington's action one day later seriously ran counter to the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders.

China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the US move.

China has consistently opposed forced labor, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no so-called "forced labor" in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

At present, Xinjiang is socially stable and harmonious, its economy is thriving and its residents are living and working in peace and contentment, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson urged the US to stop attacks and smears against Xinjiang and halt the suppression of Chinese companies, vowing that China would take necessary measures to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

(Cover: China's Ministry of Commerce, Beijing, June 16, 2026. /VCG)