US bans imports from five more Chinese companies over Uyghur forced labor (updated)

Century Sunshine group

08/08/2024 14:47

(Adds details, background from paragraph 3 onward)
    By Karen Freifeld
       Aug 8 (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday banned
imports from five more Chinese companies over alleged human
rights abuses involving the Uyghurs, according to a government
posting, as part of its effort to eliminate goods made with
forced labor from the U.S. supply chain. 
    The companies include Hong Kong-based Rare Earth Magnesium
Technology Group Holdings  0601.HK  and its parent, Century
Sunshine Group Holdings  0509.HK , which manufacture magnesium
fertilizer and magnesium alloy products. Also included is Zijin
Mining Group Co  601899.SS  subsidiary Xinjiang Habahe Ashele
Copper Co, which mines nonferrous metals.
     The targeted companies did not immediately respond to
requests for comment. 
     The companies were added to the Uyghur Forced Labor
Prevention Act Entity List, which restricts imports tied to what
the U.S. government characterizes as an ongoing genocide of
minorities in China's western Xinjiang region. 
    The list now includes over 70 entities tied to products
including cotton apparel, automotive parts, vinyl flooring and 
solar panels. 
    The list identifies those who work with the government of
the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to recruit and transport
Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz or members of other persecuted groups
out of the region, and those who source material from the region
or from people who work with the government of Xinjiang.
    U.S. officials say Chinese authorities have established
labor camps for Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in
Xinjiang. Beijing denies any abuses.

 (Reporting by Karen Freifeld; additional reporting by Alexandra
Alper in Washington. Editing by Franklin Paul)
 ((karen.freifeld@thomsonreuters.com; +1(646) 223-6921;))