The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed allegations from a United States congressional committee regarding the recent establishment of two Starbucks cafes in Urumqi, Xinjiang. John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on China, described the expansion as morally indefensible, arguing that the presence of a major American corporation in the region associates the brand with the Chinese government’s treatment of the Uyghur population. Beijing officials characterized these claims as fabrications. The controversy centers on long-standing international accusations concerning human rights violations against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, which the Chinese government consistently denies. The opening of these specific outlets marks the first time the coffee chain has operated within this administrative area, drawing immediate scrutiny from American lawmakers who are calling for the immediate closure of the new storefronts.
Source : Hong Kong Free Press
Photo : Hong Kong Free Press
