Beijing has rejected allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang following criticism from a US lawmaker over Starbucks’ decision to open its first stores in the region. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Saturday dismissed claims of genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uygur population in Xinjiang as a “blatant lie,” accusing Washington of using such accusations for political purposes.

Guo emphasized that Xinjiang currently enjoys “social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic unity and religious harmony,” and reaffirmed China’s commitment to welcoming foreign investment. His remarks came after John Moolenaar, a Republican and chairman of the US House Select Committee on China, urged Starbucks to close its newly launched outlets in Urumqi, the regional capital.

“This is a shocking and morally bankrupt decision by a company that prides itself on social responsibility,” Moolenaar said on Thursday. He highlighted concerns over the Chinese Communist Party’s actions in Xinjiang, alleging the detention of more than a million Uygurs and efforts to suppress their faith, language, and culture.

Last week, Starbucks opened two stores in Urumqi, one situated in the city’s Grand Bazaar tourist district and the other at Urumqi Tianshan International Airport. Local authorities described the Grand Bazaar location as Starbucks’ first intangible cultural heritage-themed flagship store in China, featuring design elements inspired by Xinjiang’s architecture and culture, along with menu items reflecting the region.

Starbucks’ expansion into Xinjiang forms part of a broader strategy to grow its presence in China, particularly following the establishment of a joint venture in April with Chinese private equity firm Boyu Capital, which now holds a 60 percent stake in Starbucks’ domestic retail operations. The company has identified China as a critical market for future growth.

The move has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing regarding rights violations in the region. The United States government has accused China of subjecting Uygurs and other Muslim minorities to forced labor and other abuses, accusations Beijing has consistently denied. Chinese authorities maintain that their measures in Xinjiang are intended to combat terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism.

In response to concerns over forced labor, the US enacted the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act in 2021, which bans imports from Xinjiang linked to such practices. In July, the US Department of Homeland Security expanded its list of entities connected to Xinjiang-related issues by nearly 30 percent, now including 187 companies. Beijing condemned the list expansion as an act of “economic coercion.”