China opposes US sanctioning of companies

China firmly opposed the US sanctioning three Chinese companies under the allegation of "forced labor" in Xinjiang, a lie that is the very opposite of the fact, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

Wang made the remark on Wednesday, after the US Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that three China-based companies were added to the "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List".

"As China has made clear on various occasions, the allegation of 'forced labor' in Xinjiang is nothing but an enormous lie propagated by anti-China elements to smear China," Wang said, adding that the rights and interests of people of all ethnic backgrounds in Xinjiang are effectively protected.

Based on this lie, the US has enacted the "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act", added Chinese entities to the sanction list and oppressed more Chinese companies, the spokesman said.

"(These US moves) are aimed at undermining prosperity and stability in Xinjiang and containing China's development, and are detrimental to international trade rules and market order," Wang said.

"We urge the US to immediately stop smearing China and stop meddling in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights," the spokesman said.

Also, China will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, he said.