One of the troubling issues for USFIA members is the situation in the XUAR region in China.  We want to share with you information about the discussion of these issues at the United Nations as well as a few recent news stories.  

Last week the U.S. joined 38 countries at the United Nations to condemn China for human rights abuses in the XUAR and to raise concerns about Hong Kong. Axios shows graphically that more countries are joining the campaign asking for China to take action and respect the human rights of Uyghurs   However there is a divide at the UN, with 45 countries (led by Cuba) joining a statement expressing support for China’s “counter-terrorism and deradicalization measures in Xinjiang.” 

Today the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) announced to members that it will cease all field-level activities in the XUAR region effective immediately, including capacity building and data monitoring and reporting. In March 2020, BCI suspended licensing and assurance activities in the XUAR, and as a result, there is no new licensed Better Cotton coming from the region. BCI says that until circumstances change, they will focus activities in China where BCI has existing programs: Hubei, Hebei, Shandong and Gansu.

The business community remains under pressure to take action, and you may recall that the NBA was one of the first business groups to be criticized for doing business in China. In an interview Monday on her podcast, Megyn Kelly questioned Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban about doing business with China. The exchange is below. 

Kelly asked: "Why would the NBA take $500 million-plus from a country that is engaging in ethnic cleansing?"

Cuban's reply: "They are a customer. They are a customer of ours. And guess what, Megyn? I'm OK with doing business with China. You know, I wish I could solve all the world's problems, Megyn. I'm sure you do, too. But we can't."