China rejects US lawmaker's call for Starbucks to close Xinjiang stores

October 4, 2026 at 01:03 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

China's Foreign Ministry rejected accusations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang after US Representative John Moolenaar called on Starbucks to close its new outlets in the region. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun called genocide claims a 'blatant lie' and politically motivated. Starbucks opened two stores in Urumqi last week, including a flagship outlet near the Grand Bazaar.

Key Facts

US Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, called on Starbucks to close its new outlets in Xinjiang on Thursday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said claims of genocide in Xinjiang were false and politically motivated.
Starbucks opened two outlets in Urumqi last week: one near the Grand Bazaar and one at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport.
Boyu Capital owns 60% of Starbucks' retail business in China after a joint venture completed in April.
As of the end of September, Starbucks had 8,342 outlets in mainland China, with its first opening in Beijing in 1999.

US Lawmaker's Criticism

John Moolenaar, a Republican and chairman of the US House Select Committee on China, criticized Starbucks' decision to operate in Xinjiang on Thursday. He said the US company had no business operating in a region where, according to him, the Chinese Communist Party has detained more than one million Uyghurs and deprived them of their faith, language and culture. The United States accuses China of large-scale abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, including forced labor. In July, the US Department of Homeland Security expanded by 30% its list of companies linked to Xinjiang, to 187 enterprises.

Beijing's Response

Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Saturday said claims of 'genocide' in Xinjiang were a 'blatant lie' and accused the 'US group' who raised the suggestions of attacking Beijing for political purposes. Guo said that Xinjiang currently has social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic unity and religious harmony. He also noted that China would continue to create opportunities for foreign companies wishing to invest and operate in the country. Beijing denies the allegations, saying its policies in Xinjiang are aimed at combating terrorism, separatism and religious extremism.

Starbucks Expansion in Xinjiang

Last week, Starbucks opened two outlets in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. One is located in the tourist area of the Urumqi Grand Bazaar, while the other is at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport. The coffee shop near the Grand Bazaar, according to the local authorities' description, is China's first Starbucks flagship outlet dedicated to intangible cultural heritage. Its design uses elements of local architecture and culture, and it also offers region-inspired drinks and merchandise. Starbucks is expanding its presence in China after completing the establishment of a joint venture with Chinese private investment company Boyu Capital in April. Boyu Capital owns 60% of Starbucks' retail business in China. As of the end of September, the chain had 8,342 outlets in mainland China; its first one opened in Beijing in 1999. Starbucks did not provide an immediate comment in response to journalists' request.