BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Xinjiang is the largest cotton growing region in China, ranking first nationally in total output, per unit production and planting area for 25 consecutive years.

Over 90 percent of north Xinjiang's cotton fields are now harvested using machinery. The practice is also becoming popular in south Xinjiang.

There have been numerous attempts to fabricate and spread lies about cotton or "forced labor" in Xinjiang. This timeline, which starts from the public fury surrounding a statement by fashion retailer H&M, positions these fantasies with facts.