Chinese truths
BBC
Someone at Beeb Towers' editors' desk set a lowly beat political reporter onto a politics-adjacent
story of cheap Chinese solar panels being sold into Britain's institutional infrastructure. I recognise that our Josh is only a reporter and not a correspondent, but he shows a touching naiveté that will presumably be knocked out of him as he ascends the urinalism ladder.
Longi and Aiko both told the BBC they forbid forced labour in their production and supply chains.
Joshua Nevett, political reporter, BBC News
Longi and Aiko are Chinese companies producing solar panels that have been used in UK schools. But they assure the BBC that they forbid the use of forced labour. So that's alright then; as long as they say so. 
Furthermore, GB Energy, the company overseeing the purchase and deployment of the panels, claims that all contracts comply under the UK's modern slavery rules. You don't have to be too much of a cynic not to take that at face value either. Only a year ago, BBC Eye Investigations uncovered jasmine picked by minors being sold through the perfume supply chain to brands espousing zero tolerance on child labour
. Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link; and links are weakest lower down, where meagre profit margins overcome performative giving of shits.
Seriously, only yesterday Ana Faguy thought it worthy of note that the BBC was unable to verify the identities of a canoodling couple, and yet now Joshua Nevett doesn't even consider that his sources on a far weightier and more contentious subject might need verifying. I guess it's never occurred to him that Chinese companies—like the country's government—might just tell you what they want you to believe. Bless his little cotton socks.
It's not that bad really
To be fair, Nevett does later concede that all might not be as rosy as Longi; Aiko; and GB Energy claim, citing critical views from a Sheffield Hallam University report and the lack of transparency in the supply chain out of China, but without going so far as to suggest that the BBC should verify its sources.
The Xinjiang challenge Up to 50% of the world's supply of polysilicon - a key component in solar panels - is estimated to come from the Xinjiang region.
Joshua Nevett, political reporter, BBC News
Yes, Xinjiang province, home to Disney's genocidal partners in the CCP.
Many businesses and governments - including the UK's - buy Chinese solar panels because they are cheaper than those made elsewhere.
Joshua Nevett, political reporter, BBC News
And I wonder why that might be. 