China Condemns US Ban on Three Medical Tech Firms
China has strongly criticised the United States for adding three Chinese biomedical technology companies to a trade restriction list over allegations involving forced labour in Xinjiang. On Thursday, October 29, 2026, Beijing accused Washington of using human rights concerns to target Chinese businesses and warned that it would take necessary measures to protect its economic interests.
US Blacklists Three Chinese Medical Technology Firms
The US Department of Homeland Security added MGI Tech, BGI Genomics and Shenzhen BGI Technology, also known as BGI Group, to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List.
Under the legislation, US Customs and Border Protection must block imports associated with listed companies unless importers demonstrate that the products were not manufactured using forced labour.
American authorities allege that the companies were involved in activities linked to forced labour involving Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.
China Rejects Xinjiang Forced Labour Allegations
China’s Commerce Ministry condemned the restrictions, accusing Washington of politically motivated discrimination against Chinese enterprises.
Beijing maintained that the allegations lacked factual justification and argued that the measures contradicted understandings reached between the two countries’ leaders.
MGI Tech rejected the accusations and reiterated its zero-tolerance position on forced labour. BGI Genomics and its parent company have also denied involvement in forced labour practices.
In January, United Nations experts raised concerns about alleged forced labour affecting Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Tibetan communities. China rejected those findings.
US-China Trade Tensions Extend to Medical Technology
The restrictions add another dispute to already sensitive economic relations between Washington and Beijing.
The medical technology sector has previously experienced retaliatory trade measures. In early 2025, China placed American biotechnology company Illumina on its unreliable entity list.
The latest US action could complicate commercial activities involving Chinese genetic testing and medical equipment manufacturers.
Beijing has indicated that countermeasures remain possible, although it has not announced specific new restrictions in response.
