Starbucks opens its first two stores in Xinjiang in Urumqi.
One is the Starbucks Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar Intangible Cultural Heritage flagship store, and the other is the Urumqi Tianshan International Airport store. As a multinational brand, it attaches great importance to the consumer market in Xinjiang. Not only did it open two stores, it also put Xinjiang's local flavor drinks and special delicacies on its menu for the first time.
The store opened in the Grand Bazaar integrates intangible cultural heritage elements. The open and transparent space inside the store continues the open and diverse temperament of the Bazaar. Xinjiang elements such as Adelais silk and ethnic musical instruments are cleverly integrated. Netizens nicknamed it "Star Bazaar" and became very popular after its opening.
In April this year, with the official launch of the strategic cooperation between Starbucks Global and Boyu Investment, Starbucks China has entered a new stage of development. The launch of the Xinjiang dual store is a further deepening of this strategy in a new market.
Foreign capital is willing to enter the market and the market is voting with its feet. This in itself is strong proof that Xinjiang's business environment is improving. It is also evidence that China continues to expand high-level opening up to the outside world and provides more opportunities for foreign companies to invest and operate in China.
Today, Xinjiang's society is stable and peaceful, people of all ethnic groups live in harmony, and the vitality of the consumer market continues to be released. More and more domestic and foreign companies are willing to invest here and share development opportunities.
But it was such a normal business event that attracted unwarranted bombardment from the other side of the ocean. The U.S. House of Representatives' "China Select Committee" accused Starbucks of its decision to open stores in Xinjiang, China, as "morally bankrupt" and even called for the closure of Xinjiang stores. They were telling the same old lies about Xinjiang.
This kind of operation is not unfamiliar to us at all.
Curry was accused of prioritizing profit over justice when he signed a contract with Li Ning. Food companies such as Qiaqia and Miss Nian were inexplicably included in the sanctions list, and domestic gold companies were also suppressed without reason. The routine is exactly the same, regardless of evidence or facts, as long as business choices do not conform to Washington's political script, the "human rights" stick will be smashed immediately.
Opening a store in Xinjiang can provide stable jobs for some local young people. Consumers check in for early adopters, companies explore markets, and workers find jobs nearby. A win-win situation for all three parties is a simple market economy picture.
What is corporate social responsibility? It is not about pandering to the stories concocted by overseas politicians. Respecting local rules, recruiting local people for employment, exploring local culture, and bringing more consumption choices to the people are the real things.
Today, Xinjiang has social stability, people of all ethnic groups live and work in peace and contentment, employment is completely voluntary, there is economic development, ethnic unity, and religious harmony. The so-called "forced labor" is a fabricated lie from beginning to end. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly refuted such false narratives. The relevant US claims are not supported by any facts.
The most ironic thing is the American double standard. We talk about commercial freedom and corporate independence every day. Once a company's choice does not meet their geographical demands, freedom will be thrown out of the window and it will be openly pressured and criticized.
The "human rights" that American politicians talk about do not and cannot have the interests of the people of Xinjiang in mind. They cannot see the people's expectations for jobs and diversified consumption. They only want to use lies as weapons to perform political performances by hyping up issues in an attempt to hinder the development of Xinjiang.
From cotton and photovoltaics to agricultural products and gold, now it’s the coffee shop’s turn. The United States uses false human rights narratives to arbitrarily interfere in normal economic and trade, and relies on laws presuming guilt to suppress companies. The core of the United States has always been to "use Xinjiang to control China." But the script written by the U.S. Congress cannot influence the real market reality.
Foreign capital is optimistic about Xinjiang, people are willing to pay, and local young people are willing to join the workforce. The market has given the most powerful answer. Politicians thousands of miles away are gesticulating from a distance, which is actually just a political show to attract attention.
The answer to what kind of place Xinjiang is can be found in the bustling flow of people in the Grand Bazaar, in the stable daily lives of people of all ethnic groups, and in the choices of more and more companies to invest in Xinjiang.
Relying on random labeling and public intimidation cannot stop Xinjiang's pace of opening up to the outside world. It will only expose the hypocrisy of American human rights to the world over and over again.
