U.S. sportswear traced to factory in China's internment camps

This is getting serious. Just in case, I will from now scan my purchases and reject anything labeled "Made in China."

So these people are imprisoned because of their ethnicity and creed, and put to work in prisons and their products exported to the US. Isn't this slavery?

A natural progression of unchecked capitalism.

This is getting serious. Just in case, I will from now scan my purchases and reject anything labeled "Made in China."

While you may scan, you may never actually know whether or not something originated in China. Living here in Japan there is so much that comes from there and is used in so many different industries and businesses that it is nearly impossible to determine. Like the bento you buy at a local AEON, or the clothes you buy somewhere else. The label may read, made in Viet Nam, but it is very possible that the cloth that was used to make the clothes was produced in China and shipped to Viet Nam for processing.

It's not just clothing, food, appliances, and other products originate from there and have permeated society here!

The government MUST get involved,

Yubaru, it's hardly just in Japan. It's everywhere in the world.

"vocational skills education and training center"

Orwellian or what.

Some call this authoritarian capitalism, state capitalism, corporatocracy, whatever. But to me as 'strong leaders' emerge in states like China and Russia it looks more and more like unadorned fascism.

Nations like the US with its remaining bits of democracy have to ensure 'businessman' leaders like Trump backed by big business and big banking don't drag them down to the China/Russia level.

Yubaru - The government MUST get involved,

Which government? The Chinese government? I think it's safe to say that these slavery-produced goods are being shipped to Europe, and Asia, also.

jcapanToday 07:35 am JST

A natural progression of unchecked capitalism.

Yes, just like this:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/20/prison-labor-protest-america-jailhouse-lawyers-speak

"One of the most passionately held demands is an immediate end to imposed labor in return for paltry wages, a widespread practice in US prisons that the strike organisers call a modern form of slavery. More than 800,000 prisoners are daily put to work, in some states compulsorily, in roles such as cleaning, cooking and lawn mowing. The remuneration can be as woeful in states such as Louisiana as 4 cents an hour."

Stuff made by prisoners in the US gulag:

https://www.thrillist.com/gear/products-made-by-prisoners-clothing-furniture-electronics

As Colonel Kilgore nearly said, "I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning." Let's hope all those venting at the evil Chinese will be equally harsh on the brutal UNICOR.

This is thoroughly disgusting and as others have commented this is the natural progression when capitalism is not provided with the proper safeguards and checks and balances.

@Alfie - I do condemn the Chinese as I condemn their system which puts people into this situation and also I condemn the system which wishes to provide a "social credit score". In addition, I condemn the sportswear companies (some which are major brands) for perpetuating this system and allowing this to continue. These big businesses should be boycotting this system and not buying from these sources. Finally, I would agree that UNICOR is equally reprehensible. UNICOR argues they are providing prisoners an opportunity to work, gain skills, and be productive (there is some merit in that) however the wage paid and the fact these items are sold commercially smells of corruption. Additionally some of these items are produced in private prisons in the U.S. which have become a business among themselves.

There is a part of me that believes that many other countries would love to emulate China (including the U.S.). The politicians and ruling elite would love to have an endless supply of slave labor to line their pockets and fulfill their greed. There is also a part of me that believes this is the endgame and where much of the world may end up.

Capitalism is a very good system but as others have pointed out, without the correct checks and balances human nature will override the system and the greedy hypocrites will use the system to dominate others.

As Colonel Kilgore nearly said, "I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning." Let's hope all those venting at the evil Chinese will be equally harsh on the brutal UNICOR.

I'd hope the charge of hypocrisy isn't directed at me, since my comment didn't even single out China. Both sides are obviously guilty here. Or that I'm a regular critic of US foreign policy. Or that I and every American on the left condemns our for-profit prison industry.

All that said, boxes ticked etc, doesn't excuse China in the slightest. They are a vile regime and if this is the alternative to the rotting US imperium, then god help us all.

I'd hope the charge of hypocrisy isn't directed at me

No, not all all. The Chinese regime is foul for sure but lots of other countries do exactly the same thing.

Oh, I'm not shocked... not at all. China's government doing the same totalitarianism BS it always does, and good old unchecked capitalist greed on the US end...

I swear the day I die will be the day I will be free from the stupidity of humanity.

They say that people in the centers have signed agreements to receive vocational training.

If they don't want to receive it anymore, are they free to leave?