China condemns tariff abuses under pretext of "forced labour"

GENEVA, June 25 (Xinhua) -- China delivered a joint statement on behalf of a group of nearly 20 countries at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday, to expose and condemn the hegemonic practice of unilateral tariff under the pretext of "forced labour."

The joint statement was delivered by Jia Guide, China's permanent representative and ambassador to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland.

The joint statement pointed out that the eradication of poverty hinges on safeguarding everyone's right to work and the right to development. "We firmly oppose forced labour. At the same time, we are also seriously concerned about, and firmly oppose, the imposition of additional duties on other economies on the basis of unilateral accusations alleging a failure to curb imports of goods produced with so-called forced labour," the joint statement said.

The arbitrary imposition of tariff under the guise of so-called anti-forced labour measures will only infringe upon the right to development and the right to decent work of hardworking workers. Such practices can only destabilize global industrial supply chains and undermine collective efforts to eradicate poverty, according to the joint statement.

The joint statement emphasized that China urges relevant countries to respect facts, refrain from politicizing trade issues and weaponizing human rights, uphold the international economic and trading order and contribute to global development through tangible actions.

The joint statement has received widespread support, with Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Sudan, Cambodia and other countries cosponsoring it, and many developing countries have echoed China's position, Jia said.