Adrian Zenz
@adrianzenz.bsky.social
Director in China Studies, Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Research focus: Xinjiang, Tibet, authoritarian repression, re-education internment, ILO, Uyghur / state-imposed forced labor, OSINT. https://victimsofcommunism.org/leader/adrian-zenz-phd
Excited to see our 136-page report on Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang's agricultural production & land grabbing now published with University of Sheffield's International Network for Critical China Studies.
sites.google.com/sheffield.ac...
sites.google.com/sheffield.ac...
November 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Excited to see our 136-page report on Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang's agricultural production & land grabbing now published with University of Sheffield's International Network for Critical China Studies.
sites.google.com/sheffield.ac...
sites.google.com/sheffield.ac...
Major victory: Chinese tomato exports to Italy collapse, following our research report & BBC investigation into tomato-linked Uyghur forced labor and land-grabbing.
Official 2025 customs data confirms the collapse. Over 2/3 of China’s tomato exports are linked to Xinjiang.
Report links below:
Official 2025 customs data confirms the collapse. Over 2/3 of China’s tomato exports are linked to Xinjiang.
Report links below:
November 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Major victory: Chinese tomato exports to Italy collapse, following our research report & BBC investigation into tomato-linked Uyghur forced labor and land-grabbing.
Official 2025 customs data confirms the collapse. Over 2/3 of China’s tomato exports are linked to Xinjiang.
Report links below:
Official 2025 customs data confirms the collapse. Over 2/3 of China’s tomato exports are linked to Xinjiang.
Report links below:
Next week we hold our annual China Forum in Washington, DC, with panels on Transnational Repression, Uyghur forced labor, responding to China's global agenda, and the rising challenge of techno-authoritarianism.
Registration link and list of speakers below: 👇
Registration link and list of speakers below: 👇
October 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Next week we hold our annual China Forum in Washington, DC, with panels on Transnational Repression, Uyghur forced labor, responding to China's global agenda, and the rising challenge of techno-authoritarianism.
Registration link and list of speakers below: 👇
Registration link and list of speakers below: 👇
At #APSA2025 in Vancouver, I was privileged to present papers on Investigative Policy Analysis, the research methodology I use to uncover Xinjiang's policies, and on the information-coercion nexus in authoritarian repression. The venue featured stunning panoramic views.
September 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
At #APSA2025 in Vancouver, I was privileged to present papers on Investigative Policy Analysis, the research methodology I use to uncover Xinjiang's policies, and on the information-coercion nexus in authoritarian repression. The venue featured stunning panoramic views.
Systemic Coercion, Forced Labor, and Land Grabbing in Xinjiang's Agricultural Sector:
Our recent research report provides a detailed analysis of the systemic, state-imposed forced labor present throughout Xinjiang's agricultural sector. THREAD:
Our recent research report provides a detailed analysis of the systemic, state-imposed forced labor present throughout Xinjiang's agricultural sector. THREAD:
July 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Systemic Coercion, Forced Labor, and Land Grabbing in Xinjiang's Agricultural Sector:
Our recent research report provides a detailed analysis of the systemic, state-imposed forced labor present throughout Xinjiang's agricultural sector. THREAD:
Our recent research report provides a detailed analysis of the systemic, state-imposed forced labor present throughout Xinjiang's agricultural sector. THREAD:
Hubei Hangte, which supplies western carmakers, hosted a meeting with CCP officials and educators from Xinjiang and described measures it had taken to better manage workers from the region - including ensuring that transferred laborers refrained from “laxity.”
May 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Hubei Hangte, which supplies western carmakers, hosted a meeting with CCP officials and educators from Xinjiang and described measures it had taken to better manage workers from the region - including ensuring that transferred laborers refrained from “laxity.”
Implicated western companies include BMW, @volkswagen.bsky.social, Mercedes, Stellantis, LG Electronics, Tesla, Midea Group, KFC, McDonald's, @skechersusa.bsky.social , and Manchester City football club.
May 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Implicated western companies include BMW, @volkswagen.bsky.social, Mercedes, Stellantis, LG Electronics, Tesla, Midea Group, KFC, McDonald's, @skechersusa.bsky.social , and Manchester City football club.
The investigation reviewed thousands of social media videos and visited two dozen factories. The findings point to the massive scale of Uyghurs being sent to work in factories around the country.
May 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The investigation reviewed thousands of social media videos and visited two dozen factories. The findings point to the massive scale of Uyghurs being sent to work in factories around the country.
Major media investigation finds thousands of Uyghurs forced to work in 75 factories across 11 Chinese regions, with links to major western companies. I supported this joint investigation into state-imposed forced labor transfers by @nytimes.com @spiegel.de @tbij.bsky.social. THREAD: 👇
May 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Major media investigation finds thousands of Uyghurs forced to work in 75 factories across 11 Chinese regions, with links to major western companies. I supported this joint investigation into state-imposed forced labor transfers by @nytimes.com @spiegel.de @tbij.bsky.social. THREAD: 👇
It was my privilege to write the foreword for "Unbroken", the testimony and story of @rushanabbas.bsky.social.
This powerful book details Rushan's activism and her inspiring fight for her imprisoned sister despite targeted smear campaigns and continued opposition. 🧵
This powerful book details Rushan's activism and her inspiring fight for her imprisoned sister despite targeted smear campaigns and continued opposition. 🧵
May 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM
It was my privilege to write the foreword for "Unbroken", the testimony and story of @rushanabbas.bsky.social.
This powerful book details Rushan's activism and her inspiring fight for her imprisoned sister despite targeted smear campaigns and continued opposition. 🧵
This powerful book details Rushan's activism and her inspiring fight for her imprisoned sister despite targeted smear campaigns and continued opposition. 🧵
Today I joined a panel on Uyghur women's reproductive rights violations as a side event of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), alongside @rushanabbas.bsky.social, @sophiedrich.bsky.social, organized by @cuyghurs.bsky.social.
Related recent publication: www.cjlpa.org/post/sexual-...
Related recent publication: www.cjlpa.org/post/sexual-...
March 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Today I joined a panel on Uyghur women's reproductive rights violations as a side event of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), alongside @rushanabbas.bsky.social, @sophiedrich.bsky.social, organized by @cuyghurs.bsky.social.
Related recent publication: www.cjlpa.org/post/sexual-...
Related recent publication: www.cjlpa.org/post/sexual-...
Devastating development: 40 Uyghurs have been sent from Thailand to Xinjiang where they face severe rights abuses.
China's embassy in Thailand posts pictures parading "Chinese illegal immigrants," claiming that after "fulfilling relevant legal procedures" they will be "returned to normal life."
China's embassy in Thailand posts pictures parading "Chinese illegal immigrants," claiming that after "fulfilling relevant legal procedures" they will be "returned to normal life."
February 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Devastating development: 40 Uyghurs have been sent from Thailand to Xinjiang where they face severe rights abuses.
China's embassy in Thailand posts pictures parading "Chinese illegal immigrants," claiming that after "fulfilling relevant legal procedures" they will be "returned to normal life."
China's embassy in Thailand posts pictures parading "Chinese illegal immigrants," claiming that after "fulfilling relevant legal procedures" they will be "returned to normal life."
Important new report of ILO's Committee of Experts notes "widespread" forced labor in both Xinjiang and Tibet, affecting a wide range of industrial and agricultural sectors, and accompanied by land dispossession of ethnic farmers.
Thread:
www.ilo.org/sites/defaul...
Thread:
www.ilo.org/sites/defaul...
February 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Important new report of ILO's Committee of Experts notes "widespread" forced labor in both Xinjiang and Tibet, affecting a wide range of industrial and agricultural sectors, and accompanied by land dispossession of ethnic farmers.
Thread:
www.ilo.org/sites/defaul...
Thread:
www.ilo.org/sites/defaul...
Major scandal in France as @decathlonfrance.bsky.social, the world's biggest sports equipment retailer, is linked to Uyghur forced labor.
On undercover video, Chinese staff confirm use of Xinjiang cotton.
I supported this investigation with detailed research & analysis. Sources in thread.
On undercover video, Chinese staff confirm use of Xinjiang cotton.
I supported this investigation with detailed research & analysis. Sources in thread.
February 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Major scandal in France as @decathlonfrance.bsky.social, the world's biggest sports equipment retailer, is linked to Uyghur forced labor.
On undercover video, Chinese staff confirm use of Xinjiang cotton.
I supported this investigation with detailed research & analysis. Sources in thread.
On undercover video, Chinese staff confirm use of Xinjiang cotton.
I supported this investigation with detailed research & analysis. Sources in thread.
This report is the longest we have ever published: 135 pages, 720 endnotes. It was a pleasure to co-author it with I-Lin Lin, Research Associate in China Studies at VOC.
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
This report is the longest we have ever published: 135 pages, 720 endnotes. It was a pleasure to co-author it with I-Lin Lin, Research Associate in China Studies at VOC.
Our research extensively used the Sayari database and tools. A big thank you to Sayari for allowing us to use their system on a pro bono basis
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Our research extensively used the Sayari database and tools. A big thank you to Sayari for allowing us to use their system on a pro bono basis
Our investigation names 90 companies w/ direct or indirect links to Xinjiang, including Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Del Monte, PepsiCo, McCormick, Unilever, and L’Oreal.
We implicate four major Chinese agribusinesses, including COFCO.
Company responses to us varied greatly.
We implicate four major Chinese agribusinesses, including COFCO.
Company responses to us varied greatly.
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Our investigation names 90 companies w/ direct or indirect links to Xinjiang, including Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Del Monte, PepsiCo, McCormick, Unilever, and L’Oreal.
We implicate four major Chinese agribusinesses, including COFCO.
Company responses to us varied greatly.
We implicate four major Chinese agribusinesses, including COFCO.
Company responses to us varied greatly.
Between 2001 and 2021, land-use transfer shares in Xinjiang grew nearly 50-fold, indicating the staggering scale at which ethnic peasants were rendered landless and then pushed into state-mandated work.
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Between 2001 and 2021, land-use transfer shares in Xinjiang grew nearly 50-fold, indicating the staggering scale at which ethnic peasants were rendered landless and then pushed into state-mandated work.
The report implicates the planting, harvesting & processing of tomatoes, peppers, marigold & stevia (artificial sweetener) in coercive labor transfers.
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
The report implicates the planting, harvesting & processing of tomatoes, peppers, marigold & stevia (artificial sweetener) in coercive labor transfers.
The report implicates major Chinese agribusinesses that together represent over 50% of China’s tomato production and 65% of the world’s production of red pepper pigment.
Xinjiang produces 15% of the world’s tomato paste, 10% of its chili peppers, and 2/3 of paprika oleoresin.
Xinjiang produces 15% of the world’s tomato paste, 10% of its chili peppers, and 2/3 of paprika oleoresin.
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
The report implicates major Chinese agribusinesses that together represent over 50% of China’s tomato production and 65% of the world’s production of red pepper pigment.
Xinjiang produces 15% of the world’s tomato paste, 10% of its chili peppers, and 2/3 of paprika oleoresin.
Xinjiang produces 15% of the world’s tomato paste, 10% of its chili peppers, and 2/3 of paprika oleoresin.
Our latest research documents mass land-grabbing and forced labor in Xinjiang's tomato and pepper production, rendering thousands of Uyghurs landless & forced to work for Chinese agribusinesses.
We implicate Kraft Heinz, Del Monte & other brands in Uyghur forced labor and land transfer schemes.
We implicate Kraft Heinz, Del Monte & other brands in Uyghur forced labor and land transfer schemes.
December 12, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Our latest research documents mass land-grabbing and forced labor in Xinjiang's tomato and pepper production, rendering thousands of Uyghurs landless & forced to work for Chinese agribusinesses.
We implicate Kraft Heinz, Del Monte & other brands in Uyghur forced labor and land transfer schemes.
We implicate Kraft Heinz, Del Monte & other brands in Uyghur forced labor and land transfer schemes.
NEW: Canada sanctions Xinjiang's governor Erkin Tuniyaz over extensive "government-led repression" targeting the region's ethnic groups.
Also on the sanctions list is now Chen Quanguo. The only other country that has sanctioned Erkin Tuniyaz is the US.
Europe has not even sanctioned Chen Quanguo.
Also on the sanctions list is now Chen Quanguo. The only other country that has sanctioned Erkin Tuniyaz is the US.
Europe has not even sanctioned Chen Quanguo.
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 PM
NEW: Canada sanctions Xinjiang's governor Erkin Tuniyaz over extensive "government-led repression" targeting the region's ethnic groups.
Also on the sanctions list is now Chen Quanguo. The only other country that has sanctioned Erkin Tuniyaz is the US.
Europe has not even sanctioned Chen Quanguo.
Also on the sanctions list is now Chen Quanguo. The only other country that has sanctioned Erkin Tuniyaz is the US.
Europe has not even sanctioned Chen Quanguo.
Great news - the first of up to 10,000 Uyghur refugees has arrived in Canada under the M-62 program.
M-62 expedites the entry of 10,000 Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in need of protection into Canada over two years, starting in 2024. Image from Mehmet Tohti (URAP).
M-62 expedites the entry of 10,000 Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in need of protection into Canada over two years, starting in 2024. Image from Mehmet Tohti (URAP).
December 5, 2024 at 7:59 PM
Great news - the first of up to 10,000 Uyghur refugees has arrived in Canada under the M-62 program.
M-62 expedites the entry of 10,000 Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in need of protection into Canada over two years, starting in 2024. Image from Mehmet Tohti (URAP).
M-62 expedites the entry of 10,000 Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in need of protection into Canada over two years, starting in 2024. Image from Mehmet Tohti (URAP).
We are hosting a Uyghur art exhibition at the VOC museum in DC from Dec 5-7, organized by the Uyghur Academy, @cuyghurs.bsky.social, Uyghur American Association.
December 3, 2024 at 2:15 AM
We are hosting a Uyghur art exhibition at the VOC museum in DC from Dec 5-7, organized by the Uyghur Academy, @cuyghurs.bsky.social, Uyghur American Association.
Major news: Volkswagen will fully divest from Xinjiang, sell both its joint-venture factory and test track.
This is a huge victory for the Uyghur cause. It comes after our research exposed forced Uyghur labor linked to the test track and VW's fraudulent factory audit.
archive.ph/CxznM
This is a huge victory for the Uyghur cause. It comes after our research exposed forced Uyghur labor linked to the test track and VW's fraudulent factory audit.
archive.ph/CxznM
December 2, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Major news: Volkswagen will fully divest from Xinjiang, sell both its joint-venture factory and test track.
This is a huge victory for the Uyghur cause. It comes after our research exposed forced Uyghur labor linked to the test track and VW's fraudulent factory audit.
archive.ph/CxznM
This is a huge victory for the Uyghur cause. It comes after our research exposed forced Uyghur labor linked to the test track and VW's fraudulent factory audit.
archive.ph/CxznM