Airbnb in US crosshairs on Xinjiang, following Tesla

US-based home rental firm Airbnb may become the latest company after Tesla to face fire on Xinjiang-related affairs from US politicians It shows that the Chinese government cannot remain immune from violations of Human Rights in Xinjiang. It will face hurdles in expanding its manufacturing for the international market and make more profits.

Two US lawmakers on Friday sent Airbnb a letter asking about some of its listings of properties in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region that are on land owned by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Group, which was hit by US sanctions in 2020. The lawmakers also said they were raising questions about Airbnb’s sponsorship of the Beijing Winter Olympics that starts next month, Reuters reported. 

There are still plenty of short-term rental listings in Xinjiang on the company’s short-term home rental platform. For instance, in Urumqi, capital city of Xinjiang, there were more than 300 listings of properties on Airbnb. Airbnb was not available for comment on Saturday.

This development of US politicians pressuring businesses reflects that the US government will be mounting fresh offensive on positioning US-China ties and global affairs.

The US tries to put political pressure on Tesla, Airbnb and probably other sponsors of the Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights issues, in an attempt to force other US and European companies to follow the political line.

Tesla has recently been targeted by fierce accusations from some US politicians and industry groups for trying to overlook China over forced labor and genocide after the automaker opened a showroom in Xinjiang.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular media briefing on Thursday that Xinjiang-related lies fabricated by individual countries can’t obscure Xinjiang’s stability, tranquility, prosperous development and religious harmony.