The issue was first brought to our attention by @hrcberkeley and @UyghurProject. They had been tracking labor transfers since the start of the pandemic and noted that some might've been sent to companies producing PPE. We wanted to know more — and where that PPE was ending up.
-
-
Show this thread
-
We started with a list of companies manufacturing PPE, compiled from a variety of sources — China’s National Medical Products Administration, media reports, and info from regulatory bodies around the world. Then we scoured each company for signs of the labor transfer program.pic.twitter.com/t2tY9GDSHa
Show this thread -
Some had openly reported receiving Uighur workers through the program. Other transfers were publicized by state media. Visuals also provided a clue — imagery of segregated spaces and government indoctrination.pic.twitter.com/bLldqjaO1R
Show this thread -
The hardest part was connecting these companies to the global supply chain. We knew a lot of the PPE being produced was for domestic use. But we also suspected that some of the equipment might be making its way outside of China’s borders.
Show this thread -
Our first major breakthrough was the result of a lucky filetype Google search. We came across a PDF for a Brazilian medical supply company. It was a data sheet for the masks they currently distribute, and the manufacturer was clearly labeled: Medwell Medical Products.pic.twitter.com/srJU1yMEgF
Show this thread -
Medwell was on our list of companies that use Uighur labor. The Brazilian distributor later confirmed to us that they received a shipment from Medwell in March of this year, but that they were unaware of its connections to the labor transfer program.
Show this thread -
Data from platforms like Panjiva and Import Genius, along with additional research from the team at
@C4ADS, indicated that Medwell has also been exporting protective gear to current hot spots for the virus in Latin America — Peru and Colombia.pic.twitter.com/90Uulz8N5d
Show this thread -
Months into this investigation, we came across the bill of lading for a key shipment: 1,950kg of face masks arrived from an address in Hubei province at the Port of Los Angeles on May 19. The consignee for the shipment was MedWay US, a medical supply company based in Georgia.pic.twitter.com/sZdWGk5Tec
Show this thread -
That address belongs to a factory for Hubei Haixin Protective Products. And we found images and videos of the Uighur workers at that exact factory, who are subject to mandatory mandarin lessons and weekly flag-raising ceremonies.pic.twitter.com/gis97oAgxm
Show this thread -
This was a massive, months-long effort. Thanks to
@hrcberkeley and@UyghurProject for bringing this to us and for all of the research help that followed (and for providing me the opportunity to work with former colleagues once again).Show this thread -
And, a huge thank you to our core team:
@muyixiao,@ckoettl,@NatalieReneau,@DrewJordan_NYT, Aaron Byrd,@whitney_hurst,@markscheffler,@ndgauss. Also to@austinramzy,@gillianwong, and the experts who spoke to us for this investigation. In constant awe of all of these folks.Show this thread -
Watch the full investigation here:https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000007226041/china-coronavirus-masks-uighur-labor-ppe.html …
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.