The US lawmakers urge Starbucks to close its stores in Xinjiang. They stated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committing massive human rights abuses against the Uighur people in Xinjiang, and opening new stores in such a place disregards human morality, urging immediate closure.
According to The Guardian, Starbucks sold its controlling stake in its mainland China retail business to Boyu Capital, a Hong Kong-based investment firm. This week on Tuesday (September 29), Starbucks opened two stores in Xinjiang.
Videos on Chinese social media show long queues outside the flagship Starbucks store in the Urumqi Grand Bazaar tourist area, with influencers showcasing Starbucks’ specialty drinks.
John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House China Commission, pointed out that the CCP has detained over a million Uighurs, depriving them of their faith, language, and culture. Operating a business in such a region without justifiable reasons links every cup sold to the CCP’s cruel human rights abuses against the Uighurs.
The US government and multiple countries and human rights organizations have accused the CCP of carrying out genocide in Xinjiang. The United Nations has also warned that Xinjiang may be committing crimes against humanity, including the detention of over a million Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in internment camps.
Despite all these accusations, the CCP refuses to acknowledge them and claims that these facilities are vocational education and training centers.
In recent years, the CCP has invested heavily in turning Xinjiang into a tourist hotspot. Western companies eyeing Xinjiang’s commercial potential, not just Starbucks, but other major Western brands such as Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group have faced criticism for entering Xinjiang.
Critics point out that the CCP’s development in Xinjiang is a form of “Disneyfication,” commodifying the local cultural heritage while severely restricting local residents from practicing and passing on their own culture.
When Starbucks announced its deal with Boyu Capital, they mentioned that Boyu Capital could bring “deep local expertise.” Analysts had previously noted that Starbucks has long faced pressure from local competitors in the Chinese market.