China lashes out at Xinjiang ‘lie’ after US lawmaker urges Starbucks to close new stores

AI Summary

China rejected US criticism of Starbucks’ decision to open its first stores in Xinjiang, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun dismissing allegations of abuses against the region’s Uyghur population as false. The exchange highlights tensions between Beijing and US political figures over human rights claims and business activity in Xinjiang.

Beijing has hit back at a US lawmaker’s criticism of coffee chain Starbucks for opening its first stores in Xinjiang, rejecting the allegation that China has committed human rights abuses against the far-western region’s mostly Muslim Uygur population. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Saturday said claims of “genocide” in Xinjiang were a “blatant lie” and accused the “US group” who raised the suggestions of attacking Beijing for political purposes. “Today’s Xinjiang enjoys social...