Latest news with #MaoNing
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
US visa crackdown echoes Trump's first term, while China's response marks shift in tone
Washington's visa crackdown on Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party closely mirrors restrictions imposed during US President Donald Trump's first administration, which at the time prompted Beijing to accuse the US of 'regime change'. However, this time, Beijing's response has been notably restrained, with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday denouncing the move as 'discriminatory' and lodging diplomatic protests. Despite Beijing's unease over discussions about party connections, observers suggested China's measured approach stemmed from its focus on crucial trade negotiations with the Trump administration, and a belief that such policies would ultimately backfire and harm the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a brief statement on Wednesday that the US would 'aggressively revoke' visas for Chinese students, specifically those with connections to the ruling party or studying in 'critical fields', while tightening scrutiny of visa applications from mainland China and Hong Kong. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on Thursday called the move 'politically motivated and discriminatory', saying it had used ideology and national security as a pretext and would 'further damage' America's global image and reputation. Yun Sun, director of the China programme and co-director of the East Asia programme at the Stimson Centre in Washington, said much remained unclear about the latest plan, as specific criteria for visa revocation and its potential scope had yet to be disclosed.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Brazil Sues China's BYD For ₹300 Crore Over 'Slave-Like' Conditions For Workers
Brazilian prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, accusing the company of human trafficking and subjecting workers to "slavery-like conditions." The lawsuit seeks over $45.3 million (Rs 377 crore) in moral damages from BYD and its contractors, JinJiang Construction Brazil and Tecmonta, according to a statement from Brazil's Public Labour Prosecutor's Office (MPT). The legal action follows an investigation that led to the rescue of 220 Chinese workers from a BYD factory construction site in Camacari, in northeastern Brazil, in December. Investigators found that the workers were brought to Brazil under false pretences and held visas that did not match their job roles. Subhuman Living Conditions Exposed: Authorities reported that the workers lived in extremely poor conditions, lacking basic hygiene and comfort. Many were forced to sleep on bed frames without mattresses, and up to 30 people were sharing a single bathroom. The MPT described the situation as a case of international human trafficking and exploitation. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. Allegations Of Forced Labour And Slavery: The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang subsidiary responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. BYD Faces $45.3 Million Lawsuit Over Labour Abuses The MPT is now seeking $45.3 million (Rs 377 crore) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Thursday that Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brazil sues China's BYD over 'slavery' conditions on build site
Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric car giant BYD and two contracting companies for human trafficking and alleged slave labor conditions at a build site, according to legal documents seen by AFP Thursday. The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions "analogous to slavery" at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found "degrading working conditions" at the site being built, expected to be BYD's largest electric car plant outside Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and, in one case, 31 people had to share a bathroom, it said. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais ($45.3 million) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. On Thursday, BYD said in a statement it had collaborated with the MPT from the beginning, and "reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labor rights, guiding its activities by respecting Brazilian legislation and international labor protection standards." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations." ll/ad/mlr/sst
France 24
2 days ago
- Business
- France 24
Brazil sues China's BYD over 'slavery' conditions on build site
The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions "analogous to slavery" at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found "degrading working conditions" at the site being built, expected to be BYD's largest electric car plant outside Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and, in one case, 31 people had to share a bathroom, it said. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected "forced labor," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais ($45.3 million) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. On Thursday, BYD said in a statement it had collaborated with the MPT from the beginning, and "reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labor rights, guiding its activities by respecting Brazilian legislation and international labor protection standards." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations."
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Brazil sues China's BYD over alleged slave-like labour at EV plant site
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric car giant BYD and two contracting companies for human trafficking and alleged slave labour conditions at a build site, according to legal documents seen by AFP Thursday. The case concerns 220 Chinese workers found last December in conditions "analogous to slavery" at a BYD plant under construction in Camacari, in the northeastern state of Bahia. Bahia's regional ministry for works (MPT) said in December it had found "degrading working conditions" at the site being built, expected to be BYD's largest electric car plant outside Asia. Workers slept without mattresses and, in one case, 31 people had to share a bathroom, it said. Laborers had "visible signs of skin damage" from working long hours under the sun. The MPT said it also suspected "forced labour," with illegal clauses in workers' contracts, passports confiscated and the employer withholding as much as 70 percent of their salary. Workers were monitored by armed guards. After the allegations were made public, BYD's Brazilian subsidiary said it had broken its contract with the Jinjiang contractor responsible for work on the site. Jinjiang denied the slavery allegation. The MPT is now seeking 257 million reais (US$45.3 million) for "collective moral damages," as well as individual payments for each worker. The civil suit against BYD, Jinjiang and Tonghe Intelligent Equipment (now Tecmonta) was filed after the companies refused to sign a "conduct adjustment agreement" proposed by Brazilian authorities, the MPT said. On Thursday, BYD said in a statement it had collaborated with the MPT from the beginning, and "reaffirms its non-negotiable commitment to human and labour rights, guiding its activities by respecting Brazilian legislation and international labour protection standards." Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters Beijing "places great importance on protecting and safeguarding workers' legitimate rights and interests," and requires Chinese companies to "operate in compliance with laws and regulations." --AFP
