Intel has no motive to falsely allege forced labor use in China. In fact, Intel has every motive to ignore abuses so as not to alienate the CCP. So, your implication that Intel jumped the gun and made false accusations without proof lacks motive, at the very least.
The motivation was likely some compliance move with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act according to the TFA. There is no indication that Intel's initial wording was prompted by their own investigations in Xinjiang.
Clearly they believe (as do you) that specific mention of Xinjiang was not required for compliance. Is the theory that Intel intentionally added the word to make some moral or at least political point, at China's expense? I guess I don't buy that, because one of the upsides of being a ruthless corporation out only for profit is that you don't do things that risk profit.
