Sanctions on Xinjiang cotton use opposed

"It's only natural for the Chinese people to feel frustrated," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua said. "The Chinese people are entitled to express their feelings. They also attach great importance to national dignity. It's not about nationalism but patriotism."

Gao, the Commerce Ministry spokesman, also made it clear that the Chinese government always welcomes and supports the normal business operations of transnational corporations in China and their efforts to build industrial and supply chains.