My views on Xinjiang Cotton Dispute

董董

——雅礼中学2013班郝董久依

Today i want to talk about my views on Xinjiang cotton dispute.

The cotton incident in Xinjiang occurred at 11:56 on March 24. H&M group issued a statement on its official website, refusing to use Xinjiang cotton as raw material, and put forward the slogan for boycotting Xinjiang cotton textile factory on the excuse of so-called forced labor. Subsequently, Nike and many other clothes brands followed suit.

However, the allegation is totally groundless. As the largest cotton consumer and the second largest cotton producer in the world. Xinjiang has unique natural conditions, large temperature difference in summer, sufficient sunshine and long growth time of cotton. China needs to import about 2 million tons of cotton every year. In recent years, China has actively expanded import channels to ensure the stability of domestic cotton supply chain. China has also established a cotton reserve system to ensure the interests of cotton growers. Therefore, Xinjiang cotton, the world's top-level, has been in short supply for years. In order to meet domestic demand, China needs to import about 2 million tons of cotton every year. Production has long been highly mechanized and does not require a large number of "pickers". According to the 2020 data released by Xinjiang Agricultural Department, the cotton mechanical picking rate in Xinjiang has reached 69.83% of which 95% of the cotton in Northern Xinjiang is picked by machinery. Even in busy picking season, there is no need for a large number of "pickers". Xinjiang cotton has nothing to do with "forced labor". It is understood that in nearly 50 days of cotton picking season, each picker can earn tens of thousands of yuan on average. In such a short period of time, people can earn so much money, why not? Workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang choose their occupations according to their own wishes. In accordance with the labor law of the people's Republic of China and other laws and regulations, and on the principle of equality and voluntariness, they sign labor contracts with relevant enterprises in accordance with the law and obtain corresponding remuneration. They also enjoy full freedom in choosing the place of employment. 

Some people in the west "dare not face the real Xinjiang".Xinjiang authorities have invited EU envoys to visit Xinjiang for many times, but they have delayed for various reasons, and even put forward unreasonable demands. To put it bluntly, they dare not face the real Xinjiang, afraid that the stable development of Xinjiang society and the prosperity of people's living and working in peace and contentment will expose their lies.

Then why do western markets have so much opinion or hostility towards us? The price of cotton is in their hands. The price of raw materials determines the price of products. That is to say, if Westerners want to wear cheap Nike, they can have cheap Nike; if Westerners want to wear expensive ones, we can only follow them to wear expensive ones. Why are they targeting us when we are so constrained by them?

The only explanation here is that China is powerful. A large number of western capital to invest in China, hurt the interests of Westerners. Therefore, the essence of this western enterprises boycotting Xinjiang cotton incident is that Westerners want to boycott us.

Most people have been boycotting western clothes brands recently, Anta has issued a statement to withdraw from BCI organization, domestic brands have also taken advantage of this trend to rise, and many stars have also set an example to declare the termination of cooperation with some brands. Some people have posted videos on the Internet about throwing shoes of Nike and other brands out of their homes or burning them to show their patriotism, but I don't think we should be patriotic blindly in this way. Boycott should not be a boycott in such a way as burning these clothes, having opinions on people wearing Nike, or even smashing stores. Of course, I am not denying your attitude, but we need to make a rational analysis. With such a large scale of Nike ADI in China, it is impossible to ban it completely in this era of economic globalization. If it is prohibited, the related factories will suffer from blood loss, unemployment and other problems. We can't look at the problem from the appearance. We should look at it rationally. Xinjiang issue is the daily operation of the US, Europe and the UK. When we receive news, we should be patriotic and rational. Other major events should be handled by the state!