Senator Says CBS Reporting Trip in Xinjiang May Have Violated Sanctions

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., asked CBS News on Jan. 31 whether it accepted any goods or services from two sanctioned Chinese entities, potentially in violation of U.S. law, while touring China’s Xinjiang region for an article.

In a letter to CBS News and Stations President Wendy McMahon, Rubio said it is illegal for U.S. persons or companies to conduct transactions or receive goods or services from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) or the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau (XPSB), both of which the Treasury Department has sanctioned for human rights violations in Xinjiang. He noted that the article, published on Jan. 7, describes a museum and mosque that are both operated by XPCC.

Rubio asked whether CBS News applied for and received a Treasury license to conduct activity prohibited by XPCC sanctions, and whether CBS News employees purchased products from XPCC-controlled companies.

CBS parent company Paramount didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.