WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States has broadened its import restrictions by targeting 37 additional Chinese companies, citing alleged human rights abuses involving Uyghur forced labor, according to a statement by the Department of Homeland Security.

Among the newly listed entities is Huafu Fashion Co., one of the largest textile manufacturers globally, along with 25 of its subsidiaries. The U.S. government alleges that these companies are linked to forced labor in China's cotton industry.

These firms have been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, which restricts imports of goods tied to what U.S. officials describe as human rights abuses and the ongoing genocide in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

U.S. authorities claim that Chinese officials have established internment camps for Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang, allegations that Beijing has repeatedly denied.

In addition to Huafu Fashion Co., the list includes Donghai JA Solar Technology Co., a solar-energy product manufacturer using polysilicon sourced from Xinjiang, and Hongyuan Green Energy Co., another solar firm linked to the region's supply chain.

The mining sector has also been impacted, with Zijin Mining Group Co. and three of its subsidiaries named on the list for sourcing metals like zinc and copper from Xinjiang.

These latest additions bring the total number of companies restricted under the UFLPA to 144 since the law was enacted in December 2021.

The Chinese embassy in Washington and the companies named in the list have yet to comment on the new restrictions.

The UFLPA mandates a presumption that all goods manufactured in Xinjiang involve forced labor unless proven otherwise. This policy has led to significant trade repercussions for companies in industries such as textiles, solar energy, and mining, which are heavily reliant on Xinjiang's resources.

The U.S. government continues to strengthen enforcement of the UFLPA as part of its broader strategy to address alleged human rights violations in China. Officials assert that these measures aim to ensure ethical trade practices.