On December 26, 2019, Zhejiang Yunguang Printing, a Chinese supplier for British supermarket chain Tesco, denied allegations that it used forced prison labor to produce Christmas cards, after Tesco suspended production when a customer found a note inside a card claiming it was made by detainees at Qingpu prison in Shanghai.
The allegations and Tesco’s response
Florence Widdicombe of South London discovered the handwritten message inside a Christmas card she purchased from Tesco. The note stated the card was created by foreign detainees at Qingpu prison. Tesco immediately halted production at the Zhejiang Yunguang Printing facility pending an investigation.
Tesco did not comment further on the suspension. The company has a policy of auditing its supply chains for labor violations, including forced labor. The incident raised questions about transparency in global supply chains, particularly for goods manufactured in China.
The supplier’s denial
General Manager Lu Yunbiao of Zhejiang Yunguang Printing called the allegations false. “This is completely fabricated and slander. We have never established any commercial relationship with Qingpu prison,” Lu told state television.
Lu said the Christmas cards were produced solely by his company and then exported. He insisted all Chinese workers at the factory follow labor laws. “Under our contract, our company must be transparent with our customers in all aspects, and they can even inspect our computers. We are very transparent and very accountable to our customers, and there is no concealment in our business,” Lu explained.
He added that he has no contact details or information about Qingpu prison or any of its inmates. “I am extremely angry at receiving such unjustified charges against a Chinese company,” he said.
China’s official response
China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations on December 23, 2019. A ministry spokesperson stated the claims were baseless and harmful to the reputation of Chinese companies. The spokesperson did not provide evidence to support the denial.
China has faced repeated accusations of using forced labor in its prison system. Human rights groups have documented cases of detainees being compelled to work for state-owned enterprises and private companies. The Chinese government has consistently denied these allegations, calling them politically motivated.
Broader context of forced labor concerns
The Tesco case is not isolated. Western companies have faced scrutiny over labor practices in their Chinese supply chains for years. In 2018, Apple investigated allegations of forced labor at a supplier in China. The company said it found no evidence of violations.
The U.S. Department of Labor has listed China among countries with forced labor in its annual report on child and forced labor. The report cites sectors including electronics, textiles, and agriculture. China has rejected these findings, arguing they are based on unreliable sources.
The European Union has also raised concerns about forced labor in China. In 2019, the EU adopted a regulation requiring companies to conduct due diligence on their supply chains for human rights abuses. The regulation applies to imports from all countries, including China.
Implications for Tesco and other retailers
Tesco’s suspension of production at Zhejiang Yunguang Printing reflects growing pressure on retailers to ensure ethical sourcing. Consumers and advocacy groups are increasingly demanding transparency in supply chains. Companies that fail to address allegations risk reputational damage and legal consequences.
The incident also highlights the challenges of verifying labor conditions in China. Independent audits are difficult to conduct due to restrictions on foreign access to factories and prisons. Chinese authorities have limited the ability of international organizations to monitor labor practices.
Tesco has not announced whether it will resume production at the facility. The company has not made any public statements about the investigation’s outcome. The case remains unresolved.
The allegations against Zhejiang Yunguang Printing are unproven, but they show the persistent risks in global supply chains. Western retailers must navigate complex legal and ethical landscapes when sourcing from China. The Tesco case is a reminder that even routine products can carry hidden human costs. Without independent verification, the truth behind the Christmas card message may never be fully known.
