A spokesperson for Chinese automaker BYD has objected to reports about poor conditions at a construction site in Brazil where it is building a factory, saying the allegations were aimed at “smearing” China and Chinese brands.

Jinjiang Group, a contractor for Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, said on Thursday Brazilian authorities' portrayal of their employees as "enslaved" was inconsistent with the facts and that there were translation misunderstandings.

BYD, the Chinese multinational company known for electric vehicles and batteries, was accused by Brazilian authorities of providing ‘slavery-