Intel Puts Business First in Xinjiang Controversy

According to Intel, it issued a statement on Xinjiang based on U.S. laws. The American chipmaker says it was needed to confirm that no labour, products, or services were derived from Xinjiang.

The announcement prompted outrage in China, sparking calls for a boycott of Intel. The chipmaker, however, says the letter demonstrates compliance with US law but is not a declaration of its position on the Xinjiang controversy.

Intel stated in a Chinese-language post on its official WeChat and Weibo accounts on Thursday that its resolve to avoid Xinjiang supply chains was an indication of conformity with US law, rather than a statement of its view on the topic.

“We apologise for the trouble caused to our respected Chinese customers, partners and the public,” Intel says.

“Intel is committed to becoming a trusted technology partner and accelerating joint development with China.”

Intel is the latest multinational to face scrutiny in China in its compliance with Xinjiang sanctions while it is still operating in the country.

China remains a huge market and supply base for Intel but UN experts and rights groups, over a million people, mostly Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minorities, have been held in Xinjiang’s camp system in recent years.

China denies human rights violations in Xinjiang and claims that its measures there assist combat extremism.