Advertisement

Celebrities call for brand boycotts over Xinjiang Cotton issue

26 Mar – Chinese celebrities are now calling for boycotts against several international fashion brands following their previous statement of concern over the use of Xinjiang cotton.

As reported on Mingpao, mainland netizens recently dug out Swedish fashion retailer H&M's statement released in October that it is prohibiting any type of "forced labour" in its supply chain, and thus has ceased cotton supply coming from China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Soon, more statements from other brands like Nike and Adidas about forced labour were also revealed, causing not only fans but Chinese celebrities to denounce these brands.

Stars like William Chan, Angelababy, Joey Yung, Kara Hui, and Yang Mi took to social media to post the message "I support Xinjiang Cotton" on Weibo, with the former releasing a statement saying that he is terminating cooperation with Tommy Hilfiger.

The statement read, "Mr. William Chan resolutely resists and opposes any remarks and actions that pollute and spread rumours in China, and resolutely safeguard the interests and dignity of the motherland."

Celebrities have been sharing this particular image to express support for Xinjiang cotton
Celebrities have been sharing this particular image to express support for Xinjiang cotton
William Chan was appointed ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger earlier this year
William Chan was appointed ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger earlier this year

Several endorsers of the sports brand Adidas also decided to cut their ties with the brand, including Eason Chan, Yang Mi, Angelababy, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Eddie Peng.

Eason Chan posted a statement on Weibo which stated, "Our company and our artist Mr. Eason Chan resolutely resist any stigmatisation of China and terminate all cooperation for the Adidas brand with immediate effect. We hereby declare!"

Celebrities Huang Xuan and Song Qian, who are also ambassadors for the fashion retailer H&M, announced on 24 March that they had already ended cooperation with the brand.

It is interesting to note that these statements are only released on Weibo and not their Instagram accounts.

On the other hand, other brands are revealed to have quietly removed their statement about Xinjiang cotton, with Hugo Boss stating that they will continue to purchase and support Xinjiang cotton.

It is noted that BBC has previously published an investigation about forced Uyghur labour in the Xinjiang's cotton fields, which the CCP insisted to be a fabricated report.

(Photo Source: JUKSY, Sina, World Today News)