China Attempts to Conceal Forced Labor Crimes Through Documentary

China has attempted to conceal forced labor crimes, which are part of the genocide in East Turkistan, through a fake documentary, at a time when international condemnation of these practices is growing, especially regarding cotton products from East Turkistan.

According to the Chinese propaganda agency Tengri Tag, the fake propaganda documentary "Clouds on the Ground," produced by the Documentary Studios of China Central Radio and Television, will be officially screened in all cinemas in China and East Turkistan on May 7.

The film's premiere ceremony was held in Awat County, East Turkistan, where hundreds of villagers were expected to attend the screening. The choice of Awat County for this event once again reflects China's deceptive propaganda campaign. The report stated that Awat County is famous for producing high-quality cotton and is known as the "homeland of Chinese long-staple cotton."

This fake propaganda film not only glorified China's forced labor crimes but also promoted the so-called "ethnic unity." According to the report, the film depicts two families—one Uyghur and one Chinese—who face various difficulties during the busy cotton harvest season, including labor shortages, injuries, and constant rains. However, they ultimately achieve satisfactory results through hard work and cooperation over the course of a year.

China's forced labor crimes in East Turkistan have been documented with strong evidence by international human rights organizations and research institutions and have been the subject of ongoing condemnation. Since the U.S. government officially implemented the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in June 2022, billions of dollars' worth of goods have been seized at customs. Numerous Chinese companies, not only retail platforms but also well-known international brands, have been significantly affected. However, China continues to deny its crimes and attempts to cover them up by various means.