Concerns have intensified over Britain becoming a destination for slave-made goods following a surge in air cargo routes from China's xinjiang region, reports London's Daily Mail.
Research by the Uighur Human Rights Project (UHRP) found nine cargo firms launched new freight routes from Xinjiang to cities across the EU, UK and Switzerland since June 2024. Direct flights now connect Xinjiang with London, Bournemouth and Cardiff.
As of May 2025, more than 40 weekly flights carry goods from Xinjiang to Europe, with additional indirect routes. UHRP said the expansion creates a trade corridor from a region where Beijing is accused of genocide and forced labour.
Human rights groups estimate over one million Uighurs have been detained in camps and prisons in Xinjiang. Allegations of forced labour have led to calls for tougher import controls.
Lord Alton, chairman of Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights, said he was 'deeply concerned' and urged stronger government action. Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China warned the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for slave-made goods.
Sian Lea of Anti-Slavery International said forced labour is presumed in all Xinjiang-made products. She called for immediate import restrictions to protect supply chain integrity.
A spokesman for China's embassy in London rejected the allegations, calling them 'lies' and asserting that Xinjiang's products are high-quality and widely welcomed. He said the UHRP report was 'completely false' and politically motivated.
SeaNews Turkey
Research by the Uighur Human Rights Project (UHRP) found nine cargo firms launched new freight routes from Xinjiang to cities across the EU, UK and Switzerland since June 2024. Direct flights now connect Xinjiang with London, Bournemouth and Cardiff.
As of May 2025, more than 40 weekly flights carry goods from Xinjiang to Europe, with additional indirect routes. UHRP said the expansion creates a trade corridor from a region where Beijing is accused of genocide and forced labour.
Human rights groups estimate over one million Uighurs have been detained in camps and prisons in Xinjiang. Allegations of forced labour have led to calls for tougher import controls.
Lord Alton, chairman of Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights, said he was 'deeply concerned' and urged stronger government action. Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China warned the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for slave-made goods.
Sian Lea of Anti-Slavery International said forced labour is presumed in all Xinjiang-made products. She called for immediate import restrictions to protect supply chain integrity.
A spokesman for China's embassy in London rejected the allegations, calling them 'lies' and asserting that Xinjiang's products are high-quality and widely welcomed. He said the UHRP report was 'completely false' and politically motivated.
SeaNews Turkey
