A new joint test track project in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, built by Volkswagen and Chinese automaker SAIC, is under fire from U.S. lawmakers. Critics allege the project used “forced labor,” while the U.S. House passed bills targeting human rights in the region – sparking fresh tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Why the Accusations? 🤔
Oxford graduate and CGTN commentator Keith Lamb argues the U.S. narrative is a “farcical” deflection. He points to America’s own history in Muslim-majority regions – from Guantanamo Bay to Gaza – as evidence of hypocrisy. “The U.S. uses human rights as a weapon to destabilize competitors,” he writes, suggesting Washington fears China’s poverty reduction and development successes could expose flaws in America’s system.
Geopolitics Over Truth? 🌐
Lamb claims U.S. bills and media campaigns are linked to separatist groups funded by Washington. China’s vocational training programs in Xinjiang, he argues, are mislabeled as “slave labor,” while counterterrorism efforts become “concentration camps” in Western reports. “The goal is to turn Xinjiang into another Afghanistan,” he warns.
China’s Counter-Narrative
Beijing highlights Xinjiang’s economic growth – including a 7% GDP increase in 2023 – and improved living standards. Over 70% of the region’s budget now funds public services like healthcare and education. Meanwhile, U.S. homelessness and healthcare costs keep rising. “Real democracy isn’t about bombs,” Lamb writes. “It’s about lifting millions out of poverty.”
