The United States on Wednesday banned imports from three Chinese genomics companies over allegations that they worked with the Chinese government in Xinjiang to facilitate the forced labour of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. The companies affected are BGI Genomics Co. Ltd., MGI Tech Co. Ltd. and Shenzhen BGI Technology Co. Ltd., which the US government also identifies as part of the BGI Group.
The three companies have been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, according to the US Department of Homeland Security. The list identifies entities accused of using or facilitating forced labour involving Uyghurs and other minority groups, as well as those sourcing materials from China’s Xinjiang region. The move subjects imports associated with the listed companies to restrictions under the US law.
Beijing has repeatedly rejected allegations of forced labour and other human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. The latest action highlights continuing tensions between Washington and Beijing over human rights, trade and supply chains, particularly in strategically important industries such as genomics and biotechnology.
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