China has slammed recent allegations of \"forced labor\" in its Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, calling them baseless smears. 🚜 A foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that Xinjiang's thriving tomato industry—like its cotton sector—relies on advanced automation, not coercion.
Spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed a BBC report suggesting UK supermarket ketchup might contain tomatoes linked to alleged labor abuses. He revealed that over 90% of Xinjiang’s tomato planting and 85% of harvesting is mechanized. \"How could there be such a thing as 'forced labor?\" Lin challenged during a press briefing.
🌍 The region, known for producing nearly 20% of the world's tomato paste, has increasingly automated its agricultural processes. This rebuttal comes as global brands face pressure to scrutinize supply chains amid geopolitical tensions.
