The Chinese Foreign Ministry has formally responded to recent criticism from a US lawmaker regarding the presence of Starbucks in the Xinjiang region. The lawmaker had urged the coffee chain to reconsider its decision to open new stores in the area, citing ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of the Uyghur population.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun rejected claims of human rights abuses, including allegations of genocide, characterizing them as a "blatant lie." Beijing maintains that these criticisms are not based on genuine humanitarian concerns but are instead part of a coordinated effort by certain US groups to attack China for political gain.

While the US lawmaker’s position is rooted in reports of systemic human rights violations against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, the Chinese government contends that the region is currently experiencing a period of social stability and economic development. The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between international corporate expansion and geopolitical human rights advocacy. Starbucks has not yet issued a detailed public response to the specific request from the lawmaker, though the company continues to navigate the complex regulatory and political environment in China.