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Chinese sportswear maker Li Ning Co said in a statement to communist party state media Global Times it is not a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, and that Xinjiang is an important raw material producing area in its supply chain.

In contrast, retailer H&M drew wide condemnation due to its boycott of Xinjiang cotton, GT said.

The Better Cotton Initiative, a sustainability scheme, stopped approving Xinjiang cotton in 2020.

The European Union, United States, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese officials accusing them of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Reuters has reported. China retaliated with sanctions on European lawmakers and institutions.

Activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, Reuters has reported. China denies the accusations, says it is providing vocational training and that its measures are needed to fight extremism.

Li Ning Company says Xinjiang cotton important