The China Cotton Industry Alliance (CCIA) issued a statement on Saturday voicing staunch support for Xinjiang cotton and firm opposition to the restrictions on Xinjiang's textile and apparel supply chains being imposed by Western countries.

The statement was made against the malicious move by some foreign brands to refuse to source cotton from Xinjiang based on their hyped-up "forced labor" illusion.

A reaper harvests cotton in a field in Manas County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 17, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

Brands that boycott Xinjiang cotton are urged to correct their wrongdoings, which will only undermine the legitimate rights and interests of cotton growers and workers in the textile and garment industry from all ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

Photo taken on March 26, 2021 shows Abdusali Awut busy preparing for the cotton seed sowing in Shache County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.(Photo: Xinhua)

As an organization working closely with the cotton industry in Xinjiang, CCIA said in the statement that it has never found the so-called forced labor in the region.

According to a cotton industry insider, Xinjiang's cotton production has been mechanized by using seeding machines, insecticide spraying machines, and drones to plant cotton.

A member of staff transports packed cotton at a factory in Manas County, Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Changji, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 17, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

CCIA added that it will work with all its members and other relevant enterprises to promote green and sustainable development of Xinjiang cotton industry, and enhance the international influence of China's cotton brands.