U.S. legislators have called on Starbucks to shut down its newly launched stores in Xinjiang, China, describing the decision to operate in an area where the Chinese government has been accused of severe human rights violations against Muslim minorities as “morally bankrupt.”
The coffee giant recently opened two locations in this controversial region, following the sale of a controlling interest in its Chinese retail operations to Boyu Capital, an investment firm based in Hong Kong, last year.
Footage circulating on Chinese social media showcased long lines at Starbucks’ flagship outlet situated in the Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, with influencers sharing their experiences of trying unique beverages, such as a “milk-skin-flavored salty milk tea.”
John Moolenaar, who chairs the U.S. House of Representatives’ select committee on China, criticized Starbucks for this expansion, stating, “There is no justifiable reason for an American company to conduct business in a region where the Chinese Communist Party has detained over a million Uyghurs and is erasing their faith, language, and culture. Each cup sold in these outlets connects a well-known American brand to the CCP’s harsh campaign against the Uyghurs.”
Various governments and human rights organizations, including those in Washington, have accused China of committing genocide in Xinjiang, a claim that Beijing has firmly rejected.
The United Nations has also raised alarms about potential crimes against humanity occurring in the region, citing the mass detention of more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in so-called re-education camps.
In response, China defends the facilities as “educational” centers and argues that such measures are essential for combating terrorism.
The World Uyghur Congress, an advocacy organization, urged Starbucks to “align itself with the right side of history.” Maya Wang, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, added that Starbucks’ presence in Xinjiang supports the narrative of the Chinese government, which claims there are no issues in the region.
In reaction to the U.S. criticisms, the Chinese foreign ministry told Reuters that the allegations of oppression are “naked lies,” asserting that Xinjiang enjoys “a stable society, economic growth, racial unity, and religious harmony.”
The Guardian has reached out to both Starbucks and Boyu Capital for their responses to the situation.
In recent years, China has invested heavily in promoting Xinjiang as a tourist destination. Starbucks is not the only Western company facing scrutiny for its operations there; other prominent brands, including Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group, have also come under fire.
Critics have described the development of Xinjiang as a form of “Disneyfication,” whereby the local heritage is commercialized while the population’s ability to practice their culture freely is increasingly curtailed.
On Chinese social media, enthusiastic customers shared images of Starbucks merchandise, including themed flasks and teddy bears dressed in traditional ethnic clothing.
When the partnership with Boyu Capital was announced, Starbucks expressed that it would benefit from “deep local expertise,” with analysts noting that the company has been losing market share to domestic rivals for some time.
Yaling Jiang, founder of the research and strategy firm ApertureChina, stated that Starbucks’ actions make “commercial sense,” emphasizing that what is considered politically acceptable in China may not align with views in other parts of the world. “Starbucks in China is now operating from a Chinese perspective rather than a U.S. perspective, which is ultimately how they can succeed in the Chinese market,” she concluded.
