Crackdown on China's solar industry casts long shadow

China's regional government denied all claims of forced labour and stressed it already complied with international law. Moreover, the government said its education and training programs improved socioeconomic outcomes across Xinjiang. It also accused foreign companies, pulling out of the region, of rights violations because their exits were inflicting "forced unemployment" and "forced impoverishment" on the local population. The truth likely lies somewhere in between. Onus of proof The Biden administration in 2022 banned importation of goods produced using forced labour in Xinjiang, prompting companies to divest from the region. The US legislation stipulates that goods mined, produced or manufactured…