China rejects criticism of Starbucks over opening outlets in Xinjiang — South China Morning Post
China’s Foreign Ministry rejected accusations of human rights violations in Xinjiang after John Moolenaar, chairman of the US House Select Committee on China, called on Starbucks to close its new outlets in the region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said claims of genocide in Xinjiang were false and politically motivated, the South China Morning Post reports.
Congressman’s call
John Moolenaar, a Republican and chairman of the US House Select Committee on China, on Thursday criticized the US coffee chain’s decision to begin operating in Xinjiang. He said that the US company had no business operating in the 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.
Beijing rejects these accusations. Guo Jiakun 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.
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New Starbucks outlets
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.
The United States accuses China of large-scale abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, including forced labor. Beijing denies the allegations, saying its policies in Xinjiang are aimed at combating terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. In July, the US Department of Homeland Security expanded by 30% its list of companies linked to Xinjiang, to 187 enterprises. Starbucks did not provide an immediate comment in response to journalists’ request.
