German car giant Volkswagen said Wednesday it would sell its operations in China's Xinjiang region, where Beijing has been accused of widespread human rights abuses including forced labour.Rights campaigners have for years accused Beijing of a crackdown against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang,

Volkswagen is leaving its Xinjiang plant. The plant will be sold to Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Certification. Volkswagen's partnership with SAIC will extend to 2040. The joint venture will release 18 new models by 2030.

Volkswagen will exit its controversial plant in China's Xinjiang region after it and its Chinese partner agreed to sell the asset to a Shanghai government-owned buyer, two people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.