\n<\/p>\n
Uniqlo is facing an online backlash in China after the boss of its parent company said the Japanese clothing retailer does not source cotton from Xinjiang.<\/p>\n
Fast Retailing’s chief executive Tadashi Yanai said Uniqlo was “not using” cotton from the western Chinese province in a BBC interview this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n Commentators in China picked up on the comment and urged a boycott of the retailer.<\/p>\n Cotton from Xinjiang is controversial because China has been accused of using forced labour by people from the Muslim Uyghur minority in its production. Beijing has consistently denied these allegations.<\/p>\n Following the BBC report, commentators took to social media platform Weibo calling for a boycott of Uniqlo.<\/p>\n Millions of people read posts with hashtags related to the topic: “Controversy over Uniqlo founder\u2019s remarks”.<\/p>\n Related trending hashtags included: “Xinjiang cotton is the best in the world”, “I support Xinjiang cotton”, and “Uniqlo\u2019s results in China sees a slump”.<\/p>\n One user wrote: “With this kind of attitude from Uniqlo, and their founder being so arrogant, they’re probably betting that mainland consumers will forget about it in a few days and continue to buy. So, can we stand firm this time?”<\/p>\n The online reaction came after Mr Yanai told the BBC: “We\u2019re not using [cotton from Xinjiang].”<\/p>\n “By mentioning which cotton we\u2019re using…” he continued, before pausing and ending his answer with: “Actually, it gets too political if I say anymore so let’s stop here”.<\/p>\n China is very important for Uniqlo not only as a huge market but also as a major manufacturing hub.<\/p>\n Beijing has consistently denied allegations of forced labour made by organisations including the US government<\/a>.<\/p>\n The BBC has published reports of forced labour allegations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/ul>\n