Lawmakers Push for Ban on Chinese Seafood Imports Over Human Rights Concerns
A group of U.S. lawmakers is urging the Biden administration to impose a ban on seafood processed in two Chinese provinces from entering the American market. The lawmakers have raised concerns about human rights abuses and are also calling for Chinese facilities that employ forced labor to be prohibited from doing business with U.S. companies.
On Tuesday, the heads of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China sent a formal request to the Department of Homeland Security. The commission, responsible for monitoring China’s compliance with international human rights standards, referenced investigations conducted by the nonprofit organization, The Outlaw Ocean Project. These investigations revealed human rights violations on China’s fishing fleet and the forced labor of ethnic Uighurs in seafood processing plants.
The U.S. lawmakers argue that imposing sanctions on seafood processed in these Chinese provinces would be necessary to comply with U.S. laws that prohibit the entry of goods made with forced labor. The commission also highlighted emerging evidence that up to 80,000 North Koreans may be working in seafood processing facilities in another Chinese province.
Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the commission, strongly condemned the practices, referring to them as egregious violations of human rights. Smith emphasized that such practices not only contravene U.S. laws against forced labor but also have national security implications. He pointed out that Chinese fishing vessels have been used to expand and assert China’s maritime claims in disputed waters.
China, however, denies allegations of forced labor and maintains that its programs aim to create better job opportunities for Uighurs. The Chinese government faces accusations of mass detention, repression, and political indoctrination of Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group. Beijing argues that its policies in Xinjiang are necessary to combat extremism, separatism, and terrorism, following a series of violent attacks.
To address concerns surrounding forced labor, the U.S. Congress passed the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2021, ensuring that goods entering the American market are not made with forced labor from the Xinjiang region. China dismisses these efforts, accusing the U.S. of using the issue as a pretext to hinder its rise.
According to an extensive report by The Outlaw Ocean Project, the U.S. imports approximately 80% of its seafood, with China being the largest supplier. The report reveals that thousands of workers were relocated from Xinjiang to seafood processing plants in Shandong, which export to U.S. importers.
While China’s state media portrays Uighur workers as grateful for employment opportunities, The Outlaw Ocean Project’s investigation suggests that those who resist can face punishment and close surveillance. The Uighur workers have even used social media to express their dissatisfaction.
Following a hearing on the issue, Elfidar Iltebir, president of the Uighur American Association, called on the U.S. government to fully enforce the law, citing concerns about a potential connection between imported seafood and Uighur forced labor in Chinese processing plants.
The lawmakers’ request for a ban on Chinese seafood imports highlights growing efforts to restrict the importation of Chinese goods based on human rights concerns. Such actions are likely to strain relations between the U.S. and China, which are already facing tensions over trade and other issues.
