I write in reference to your report, “ ‘Xinjiang cotton is my love’: designers and models put patriotism on show at China Fashion Week ” (April 1). Foreign firms have been subject to consumer boycott campaigns given how those companies have commented on reported human rights abuses against Uygurs in Xinjiang. I think that the Chinese government’s reaction was misplaced. The statements issued by global brands were measured and did not make accusations of rampant human rights abuses. Instead, they were regarding rather limited, though still serious, forced labour issues in their supply chains. One of the purposes behind the global brands’ actions is to raise awareness of human rights in China . These companies have signalled the importance of understanding their supply chain and of working with partner countries to better understand how and why forced labour might still be evident in the supply chain. Rather than engaging with the global brands, the Chinese government has been spurred on by hyper-nationalists online and been left with few good options. It has taken the easy way out by appeasing the local population with its tacit support for boycotts . Why Xinjiang cotton ban is hardly bullying Ultimately, this knee-jerk reaction is lacking a strategic mindset and risks further damaging China’s reputation in global affairs. If China would like to raise its reputation in the world, it has to resolve this problem at the earliest. Alka Kwong, Tsuen Wan