Key facts
- China's Foreign Ministry called allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang 'naked lies'.
- US Representative John Moolenaar urged Starbucks to close its two new stores in Urumqi, Xinjiang.
- Starbucks opened its first two outlets in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, this week.
- Moolenaar described Starbucks' decision to operate in Xinjiang as 'morally bankrupt'.
- China states its policies in Xinjiang aim to tackle terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
Beijing has rejected widespread accusations of human rights abuses against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, calling them 'blatant lies' after a US lawmaker urged Starbucks to close its newly opened stores in the region.
John Moolenaar, chairman of the House of Representatives' Select Committee on China, said Starbucks should 'immediately reverse course and close its stores' in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, where two outlets opened this week. He described the decision as 'morally bankrupt' and stated that the company should not be doing business in a region where the US has accused Chinese authorities of widespread abuses against Uyghurs.