H&M, Nike, Adidas boycotted in China over Xinjiang labor

H&M, Nike and Adidas are facing huge backlash in China and the public is now cutting them off. The Chinese’s rejection of the popular brands was the result after they have issued statements on where they stand against the alleged brutal forced labor in the country’s Xinjiang province.

As per CNN Business, H&M and Nike have expressed their concern over the allegations months ago. They said they are troubled about the allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang to produce cotton. These companies are known to use this raw material for their products so now they are caught in escalating mayhem that is burning even hotter on social media in the past few days.

The heavy criticisms

China's Communist Party’s People's Daily expressed its fury at H&M by posting a message on its Weibo, the country’s version of Twitter. Its post reads: "China's Xinjiang cotton is white and flawless” while CCTV, the state’s broadcaster said that “Foreign brands are earning big profits in China but attacking the country with lies at the same time."

The public also posted comments on the issue and they slammed H&M for saying it is concerned over Xinjiang but still using the cotton the province is producing.

"H&M clothes are rags," one of the comments read. Another one posted, "Spreading rumors to boycott Xinjiang cotton while trying to make a profit in China? Wishful thinking!"

Nike and Adidas condemned

Reuters reported that the anger of the public in China also affected Nike and Adidas, just a few hours after the netizens bombarded H&M with furious comments, the said sportswear brands were also put on the hot seat as they have also posted statements about Xinjiang.

Nike's statement was said to have trended on Weibo and a social media backlash followed. Nike tried to pacify the backlash by stating that the company is not sourcing its products in Xinjiang and it has also confirmed with their contract suppliers that they too are not using textiles from the controversial region. As for Adidas, it has yet to issue an official statement or comment regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, in the latest report, it was said that Burberry became the first luxury brand to endure the Chinese backlash over Xinjiang. It has also lost its Chinese brand ambassador and its famous tartan design has been deleted from a popular video game. H& M’s products were already removed from leading stores in China as well.