--- title: "Starbucks opens Xinjiang stores amid criticism from US lawmaker" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/business/starbucks-opens-xinjiang-stores-amid-criticism-from-us-lawmaker" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/starbucks-opens-xinjiang-stores-amid-criticism-from-us-lawmaker" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/starbucks-opens-xinjiang-stores-amid-criticism-from-us-lawmaker.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/starbucks-opens-xinjiang-stores-amid-criticism-from-us-lawmaker" category: "Business & Economy" area: "China" published: "2026-10-02T08:25:28.650Z" source_reported: "2026-10-02T07:45:06.000Z" updated: "2026-10-02T08:25:28.650Z" trust_score: 80 critic_score: 87 hype_score: 30 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-02T09:15:23.435474+00:00" --- # Starbucks opens Xinjiang stores amid criticism from US lawmaker *The coffee chain's expansion into the region draws condemnation over human rights concerns.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 80 of 100, higher is better. Trust 80: multiple named sources, official statements, independent outlets, and specific figures with origins support the reporting. - Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87: explains relevance, quotes lawmaker, separates facts, provides specific data, and presents a clear cohesive story. - Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. Hype 30: language is measured; headlines emphasize criticism but body remains factual without sensational exaggeration. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Starbucks opened its first two stores in Urumqi, Xinjiang, this week. - US Representative John Moolenaar called the decision 'morally bankrupt' and urged Starbucks to close the stores. - China denies widespread accusations of Uyghur abuses, stating its policies aim to combat terrorism, separatism and religious extremism. - Starbucks announced via its WeChat platform that it will continue investing in Xinjiang. Starbucks opened its first two stores in Urumqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region, this week. The company announced its expansion via its WeChat platform, stating it would continue investing in the region. Starbucks' China CEO, Liu Wenjuan, confirmed the plan. The move prompted criticism from US Representative John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China. Moolenaar called the decision 'morally bankrupt' and urged Starbucks to 'immediately reverse course and close its stores.' He stated there was no justifiable reason for an American company to operate in a region where, he claimed, China has detained more than a million Uyghurs and is stripping them of their faith, language, and culture. ## Disagreement on China's investment figures Chinese state media reported a 22% year-on-year increase in new foreign-funded enterprises and a 10% rise in foreign investment in 2025, with 300 million foreign visitors generating $53 billion. This figure was reported by Semafor. None of the other reports mention these specific investment figures. ## What the coverage left out None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific details of Starbucks' joint venture finalised in April 2026 with Boyu Capital, which resulted in Boyu Capital becoming a 60% stakeholder operating about 8,000 outlets in China. This detail was present in the full report from Hindustan Times. ## Who covered it Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 8% (1) - Centre: 30% (4) - Right: 62% (8) 6 of 19 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-02T09:15:23.435474+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-02T10:00:19.260Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The single left-rated report led on Starbucks opening its first cafés in the Xinjiang region. It noted that this prompted criticism from activists and US lawmakers over the coffee giant’s decision to expand into an area scrutinised for human rights violations. This report also included figures from Chinese state media about a 22% year-on-year increase in new foreign-funded enterprises and a 10% rise in foreign investment in 2025, with 300 million foreign visitors generating $53 billion. It stated that Beijing denies allegations of repressing Xinjiang’s Muslim Uyghur population. ### Centre - The centre-rated reports focused on US Congressman demands for Starbucks to close its first stores in China’s Xinjiang. They quoted the lawmaker calling it a 'morally bankrupt decision' to do business in a region where Uyghurs face repression. These reports also noted that China denies widespread accusations about abuses of the Uyghurs. Starbucks announced via its WeChat platform that it would continue investing in Xinjiang, with its China CEO confirming the plan. ### Right - The right-rated reports led on the criticism directed at Starbucks for opening its first stores in Xinjiang. They highlighted that US lawmakers and human rights groups condemned the move amid allegations of human rights abuses and forced labour in the area. Several reports quoted US Representative John Moolenaar, Republican chairman of the US Congress' special China committee, describing the decision as 'morally bankrupt.' One report stated a House committee said the CCP is using the company as propaganda to obscure abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 4 - high: 8 - unknown: 6 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [thairath.co.th](https://thairath.co.th/news/foreign/2963696) — Human Rights Groups and US Lawmakers Condemn Starbucks for Opening Its First Branch in Xinjiang, Citing Its Involvement in Uyghur Human Rights Abuses. - [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/fuertes-criticas-a-starbucks-por-abrir-dos-tiendas-en-region-china-de-xinjiang_0_su9JCCRf3N.html) — Strong Criticism of Starbucks for Opening Two Stores in China's Xinjiang Region - [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-lawmaker-urges-starbucks-to-close-xinjiang-outlet-in-china-over-uyghur-oppression/articleshow/134632811.cms) — US lawmaker urges Starbucks to close Xinjiang outlet in China over Uyghur oppression - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-xinjiang-starucks-uyghurs-us-lawmaker-john-moolenaar-101790921631196.html) — US lawmaker calls on Starbucks to close new stores in China's Xinjiang in light of Uyghur repression - [streamlinefeed.co.ke](https://streamlinefeed.co.ke/news/us-lawmaker-demands-starbucks-close-first-xinjiang-stores-over-uyghur-repression) — US Lawmaker Demands Starbucks Close First Xinjiang Stores Over Uyghur Repression - [Dagens industri](https://di.se/nyheter/kritik-mot-starbuckskafeer-i-xinjiang) — Criticism of Starbucks Cafes in Xinjiang - [Frankfurter Allgemeine](https://faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/unternehmen/starbucks-eroeffnet-filialen-in-xinjiang-kritik-aus-den-usa-accg-201282317.html) — Starbucks Opens Branches in Xinjiang – Review From the USA - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/rights-group-us-lawmakers-condemn-first-starbucks-stores-in-chinas-xinjiang) — Starbucks criticised for opening stores in Xinjiang region - [Expressen](https://expressen.se/nyheter/varlden/kritik-mot-starbuckskafeer-i-xinjiang) — Starbucks' New Venture -- Met with Massive Criticism - [borskollen.se](https://borskollen.se/nyheter/27/starbucks-moter-hard-kritik-for-nya-kafeer-i-omstridda-xinjiang) — Starbucks Faces Heavy Criticism for New Cafes in Disputed Xinjiang - [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/10/02/us-congressman-demands-starbucks-close-its-first-stores-in-chinas-xinjiang) — US congressman demands Starbucks close its first stores in China’s Xinjiang - [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/02/rights-group-us-lawmakers-condemn-first-starbucks-stores-in-china-s-xinjiang) — Rights group, US lawmakers condemn first Starbucks stores in China’s Xinjiang - [Unknown](https://epochtimes.jp/2026/10/388472.html) — US House Committee Criticizes Starbucks' Expansion Into Xinjiang, Opening First Two Stores in Urumqi - [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/us/us-congressman-demands-starbucks-close-its-first-stores-chinas-xinjiang-2026-10-02) — US congressman demands Starbucks close its first stores in China's Xinjiang - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/b43b58c8a7893820) — Starbucks opens first cafés in Xinjiang region - [Semafor](https://semafor.com/article/10/01/2026/starbucks-opens-first-cafs-in-xinjiang-region) — Starbucks opens first cafés in Xinjiang region - [Unknown](https://voachinese.com/a/voa-today-20261001/8206826.html) — VOA Today's Focus (October 2, 2026): Starbucks Opens in Xinjiang; US Lawmaker Criticizes: Morally Bankrupt - [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/us/starbucks-opens-its-first-2-stores-in-xinjiang-drawing-congressional-criticism-6097707) — Starbucks Opens Its First 2 Stores in Xinjiang, Drawing Congressional Criticism - [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/10/1/n14861618.htm) — A US Congressional Committee Condemned Starbucks' Opening in Xinjiang and Called for Its Immediate Closure. ## Questions **Why is Starbucks facing criticism for opening stores in Xinjiang?** Starbucks has opened its first two stores in Urumqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region. This has drawn criticism from US lawmakers and human rights groups due to ongoing concerns over human rights abuses and alleged forced labour against the Uyghur population in the area. **What has Starbucks said about its investment in Xinjiang?** Starbucks announced via its WeChat platform that it intends to continue investing in Xinjiang. The company's China CEO, Liu Wenjuan, confirmed this plan, stating that the new outlets offer an experience blending local culture and customer needs. **What is China's stance on the accusations in Xinjiang?** China denies widespread accusations of abuses against the Uyghur people. The government states that its policies in the region are aimed at combating terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism. Chinese state media reported significant increases in foreign investment and enterprises in 2025. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/business/starbucks-opens-xinjiang-stores-amid-criticism-from-us-lawmaker. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Starbucks opens Xinjiang stores amid criticism from US lawmaker", https://mediabias.news/business/starbucks-opens-xinjiang-stores-amid-criticism-from-us-lawmaker