UN Rights Chief Always Welcome In Xinjiang: Beijing

Beijing said on Tuesday that it was discussing a visit to Xinjiang by United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, but that she should not set out with the aim of condemning its practices.

Bachelet said on Friday that reports about arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, sexual violence and forced labour in Xinjiang necessitated a thorough and independent assessment of the situation.

"The door to Xinjiang is always open, and we welcome the High Commissioner to visit Xinjiang," China's delegation told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"Communication is kept up between the two sides, but the aim of the visit is to provide exchanges and cooperation rather than ... so-called investigation based on 'guilty before proven'," it added.

Beijing has rejected what it calls "slanderous attacks" about conditions for Muslim Uighurs and other minorities living in Xinjiang, insisting that they enjoy freedom of religion and labour rights.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the human rights council last month that Beijing is taking counter-terrorism measures in the region in accordance with the law, adding that Xinjiang has enjoyed years of "social stability and sound development". (Reuters)