Disney under fire for 'Mulan' credits that thank Chinese groups linked to detention camps

KEY POINTS

• Disney is facing backlash after the final credits for its latest film "Mulan" thanked government entities in Xinjiang, the province where Muslims have faced human rights abuses.
• The film's lead actress, Liu Yifei, recently expressed support for police crackdowns in Hong Kong, spurring talks of boycotts on social media.

Liu Yifei stars in Disney's "Mulan."

Disney

Disney is facing backlash after the final credits for its latest film "Mulan" thanked government entities in Xinjiang, the province where Muslims have faced human rights abuses.

The film had already generated controversy after its lead actress, Liu Yifei, recently expressed support for police crackdowns in Hong Kong, spurring talks of boycotts on social media.

That sentiment only increased after it came to light that Disney filmed scenes for the "Mulan" movie in China's Xinjiang province, where Beijing is accused of detaining more than 1 million Uighur Muslims.

After releasing "Mulan" on Disney+, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a "special thanks" in the film's end credits that named eight government entities in Xinjiang, including the public security bureau in the city of Turpan, where the country is allegedly operating more than a dozen "reeducation" camps.

The credits also thank the publicity department of CPC Xinjiang Uighur Autonomy Region Committee, an agency that produces state propaganda efforts.

Representatives for Disney did not respond to CNBC's request for comment.

China has been under scrutiny for its treatment of Muslim minorities for years. It has been reported that Uighur Muslims have been detained in camps, subjected to political indoctrination and forced labor.

"Mulan" is set to be released theatrically in China this weekend. The country has become an increasingly important market for Hollywood: It is the second-highest grossing box office in the world. China is also one of the regions where theaters have been able to reopen successfully during the pandemic, driving millions of dollars in ticket sales.