Despite the latest revelations about human rights violations against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China, Volkswagen intends to continue operating its plant in Xinjiang province. “I believe that the presence of SAIC Volkswagen will improve the situation for people,” said Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess to the “Handelsblatt” with a view to the Saic Volkswagen joint venture there.

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“We travel there, make sure, like everywhere else in the world, that our working standards are enforced and that cultural and religious differences are respected.” If there were starting points for offenses, massive action would be taken, said Diess.

VW is repeatedly criticized because the car manufacturer has been operating a factory in the city of Urumqi together with the Chinese state-owned company Saic since 2013. The Dax group is said to have recently been denied investment guarantees by the federal government, which means that the company there bears the financial risks itself.

The Chinese market is extremely important for the Wolfsburg-based company. You are the industry leader there. Despite the recent corona lockdowns and the economic slowdown in China, Diess is confident that the People’s Republic will remain the engine of growth.