Chinese sports-wear maker Anta Sports announced on Wednesday that it is starting the process to quit the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), a Switzerland-based cotton organization, and will continue to use cotton produced from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The company's announcement came after the BCI decided to suspend licensing of BCI cotton from Xinjiang on the ground that it has become increasingly difficult to conduct credible due diligence in the region ...

On Monday, China decided to sanction 10 individuals and four entities in EU that severely harm China's sovereignty and interests ... after EU imposed unilateral sanctions on Chinese individuals and entity.

"We have noticed the BCI's statement. We are deeply concerned about the matter and is starting the process to exit the organization," Anta said in the statement.

"As a company that is devoted to environment protection, Anta became a member of the BCI. The purpose of our cooperation was to promote the sustainable development of global cotton farming and supply for cotton farmers and environment protection," the company said.

"We have been purchasing and using cotton produced from China including Xinjiang region, and we will continue to purchase and use cotton from China," the statement said.

According to the BCI's official website, the organization has 2,100 members worldwide, of which nearly 500 are from China, including five retailers and brands, 485 suppliers and manufacturers. ...