A Chinese government spokesperson took a softer stance on the hot-button issue, and said businesses that source and manufacture in China "should not be swayed by political pressure."

Fast Retailing Co., owner of the Uniqlo apparel chain, is closely monitoring to see if Chinese demand for its products is affected by Chairman Tadashi Yanai’s reported comment that the company isn’t using cotton from Xinjiang.

Tadashi Yanai, chairman and president of Uniqlo clothing chain operator Fast Retailing Co., has caused controversy in China for ･･･

Tadashi Yanai, the CEO of Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing, said it does not source cotton from the region, which has faced allegations of forced labor.

People shop at a retail store of Uniqlo in east China's Shanghai, Aug. 28, 2020. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe) China on Friday called on relevant company to reject political pressure and make

Uniqlo is facing an online backlash in China after the boss of its parent company said the Japanese clothing retailer does not source cotton from Xinjiang. Fast Retailing's chief executive Tadashi Yanai said Uniqlo was "not using" cotton from the western Chinese province in a BBC interview this week.

Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo does not use cotton from the Xinjiang region in northwest China, the company's boss said.

China is a crucial market for Uniqlo not just for customers but also as a major manufacturing hub. Xinjiang cotton was once known as some of the best fabric in the world. But it has fallen out of favour after revelations that it is produced using forced labour by people from the Muslim Uyghur minority.

Uniqlo is facing an online backlash in China after the boss of its parent company said the Japanese clothing retailer does not source cotton from Xinjiang. Fast Retailing's chief executive Tadashi Yanai said Uniqlo was "not using" cotton from the western Chinese province in a BBC interview broadcast this week.