German chemicals giant BASF, facing criticism about a partner company from international lawmakers, on Wednesday defended itself, saying it pays attention to human rights issues in China. “BASF respects human rights as the basis of its social responsibility in its business activities and relationships,” the chemicals company based in Ludwigshafen said Wednesday. “Our code of conduct applies at all of our locations worldwide, including in China.” There had previously been allegations that employees of a BASF partner company in the Chinese region of Xinjiang were said to have been involved in a …