China's government has been warned by the EU with sanctions over the situation of the Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province. A report speaks of the largest mass internment of a minority population in the world. Because international corporations also maintain relations with the region, criticism is mounting.
The Huafu textile factory in the western Chinese city of Aksu is one of the world's largest manufacturers of blended yarn. Behind the huge gate with a stylized concrete dragon column lies the extensive factory premises. More than half a million tons of cotton are processed here and at other company sites every year. Adidas, Esprit, H&M - Dozens of international brands have used yarns from Huafu in recent years and also sold them in their products in Germany. But Huafu has a dark secret: human rights organizations accuse the company of using forced laborers in production. The US government issued sanctions against the manufacturer. read more