Starbucks has opened its first two stores in China's Xinjiang region, drawing criticism from a US lawmaker and a Uyghur advocacy group over longstanding allegations of human rights abuses in the region. The outlets opened this week in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, with one located at the city's Grand Bazaar and another at the international airport. The expansion comes despite continued international scrutiny of China's policies toward the predominantly Muslim Uyghur population.

John Moolenaar, chairman of the US House of Representatives' Select Committee on China, urged Starbucks to close the newly opened stores. In a statement, he described the decision as "morally bankrupt" and argued that American companies should not operate in a region where, according to US allegations, Uyghurs have faced widespread repression. Moolenaar cited claims that more than one million Uyghurs had been detained and that restrictions had affected their faith, language and culture.

The World Uyghur Congress, an advocacy organisation, also criticised Starbucks' expansion into Xinjiang, saying businesses should not contribute to an economy where concerns over state-imposed forced labour remain. China has rejected widespread allegations of abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, saying its policies in Xinjiang are aimed at combating terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. The Chinese government has also promoted economic development and investment in the region.

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Starbucks, meanwhile, has indicated that it plans to continue investing in Xinjiang. China CEO Liu Wenjuan described the new outlets on the company's official WeChat platform as an experience combining local culture with customer needs. Images of the stores displayed Starbucks branding in English and Chinese, while Reuters noted there were no obvious signs using the Uyghur language, which has official status alongside Chinese in Xinjiang.

The expansion follows a major restructuring of Starbucks' China operations. In April 2026, the company completed a joint venture with Boyu Capital, which became the 60% stakeholder in the business. The venture operates about 8,000 Starbucks outlets across China and is intended to combine Starbucks' global brand with Boyu Capital's local market experience.

The controversy comes amid continued international debate over China's policies in Xinjiang and the responsibilities of multinational companies operating there. The US has previously taken measures targeting goods linked to alleged forced labour in the region, while Chinese authorities have rejected accusations of systematic abuses. Starbucks' decision to establish a presence in Xinjiang has therefore brought renewed attention to the intersection of commercial expansion, local economic development and international human rights concerns.

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