China Hits Back At US Over Demands For Closure Of Tesla Showroom In Xinjiang

Tesla Showroom In Xinjiang: China accused US of "hypocrisy" and attempting to "carry out economic coercion and political repression against China under the guise of human rights"

China accused Washington of hypocrisy on Thursday after US politicians and rights groups criticised carmaker Tesla for opening a dealership in Xinjiang, the site of alleged widespread human rights abuses.

The US electric carmaker announced the opening of its new showroom in the northwestern region's capital Urumqi on New Year's Eve, welcoming followers on the Chinese social media platform to "start Xinjiang's electric journey together".

The announcement prompted a backlash from US politicians including Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who accused Tesla on Twitter of "helping the Chinese Communist Party cover up genocide and slave labor in the region".

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Tuesday that the "international community, including the public and private sectors, cannot look the other way when it comes to what is taking place in Xinjiang".