China Claims U.S. Xinjiang Forced Labor Order Is Based on 'Fabricated' Evidence On 1/14/21 at 10:39 AM EST China has hit out at the U.S. after an order banned the import of all cotton products and tomatoes from the western province of Xinjiang, where Muslim minority groups are being persecuted by Beijing and allegedly used as forced labor. Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian claimed at a regular press briefing on Thursday that evidence showing China's persecution of Uighur and other minority groups was "fabricated," and framed the forced labor order as evidence of Sinophobia in the U.S. Zhao said China was "firmly opposed" to the new American legislation. "'Forced labor' is the biggest lie of the century made by persons and agencies in some Western countries including the United States, with an aim to restrict and suppress the relevant Chinese authorities and companies and contain China's development," he added, according to a transcript posted on the foreign ministry's website.