On June 24, 2021, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added five Chinese entities to the Entity List for partaking in the forced labor of Muslim minority groups from Xinjiang, an autonomous territory in northwest China. This action by the BIS – which specifically targets the five entities’ ability to access any commodities, software, and technology subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) – is part of a continued effort from the U.S. government to act against China’s repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups from the Xinjiang region. The five entities to be added to the Entity List are the following:
- Hoshine Silicon Industry (Shanshan) Co., Ltd.
- Xinjiang Daqo New Energy Co., Ltd.
- Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals Co., Ltd.
- Xinjiang GCL New Energy Material Technology Co., Ltd.
- Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC)
The recent Entity List ruling is a supplement to other related designations from October 2019, June 2020, and July 2020. The rulings have added a total of 53 parties to the Entity List implicated for human rights abuses of ethnic minorities from Xinjiang, of which 15 parties were implicated for human rights abuses related to the forced labor of ethnic minorities from Xinjiang.
The Entity List is a tool used by the BIS to restrict the export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) of items subject to the EAR to entities believed to be participating in actions that go against the interests of the United States’ national security or foreign policy. Additional licenses are required for the exportation, re-exportation, and transfer (in-country) of commodities, software, and technology to any listed entities. No license exceptions apply and license applications are subject to a presumption of denial.
The Press Release is available here.
For more information on actions addressing human rights and forced labor abuses, contact our team and see previous posts below.
BIS Adds 33 Chinese Companies to the Entity List | International Trade Law (cmtradelaw.com)