H&M kowtows to China after human rights backlash

H&M kowtows to China after getting a dressing down for voicing concerns over human rights

H&M has vowed to win back trust in China

H&M has vowed to win back trust in China amid signs it is suffering a backlash after voicing concerns over human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. 

The fashion company said its commitment to China remained strong and that it was dedicated to regaining the confidence of customers, colleagues and business partners there. 

‘We believe we can take steps in our joint efforts to develop the fashion industry, as well as serve our customers and act in a respectful way,’ the company said, but the statement made no mention of Xinjiang. 

‘Why doesn’t H&M apologise openly to consumers?’ state-owned China Central Television said, calling H&M’s statement a ‘second-rate public relations article full of empty words lacking sincerity’. 

H&M also reported a loss for the first quarter of £115million against a profit of £183million a year earlier