China’s Xinjiang logs 265% jump in US exports despite multiple restrictions
The huge jump in shipments comes despite Washington’s targeting of the region over allegations of human rights abuses
China’s western region of Xinjiang has recorded an extraordinary rise in merchandise shipments to the United States, despite the area being subject to Washington trade restrictions imposed over allegations of forced labour and other human rights abuses.
US-bound shipments from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region rose 265 per cent year on year to US$2.4 billion in the first seven months of the year, Chinese customs data showed.
According to the data, the surge was largely driven by a large uptick in shipments of holiday decorations from Xinjiang to the US. Exports of Christmas decorations totalled US$151.7 million during the January-July period – 20 times the amount during the same period last year.
Holiday entertainment items – such as magic show equipment – were the second largest export category, followed by toys and models. Both showed sharp year-on-year increases, rising from about US$20 million to US$108.2 million and US$71.4 million, respectively.