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China confirms Xinjiang visit talks with UN human rights chief
- Foreign ministry says Beijing welcomes the prospect of a trip but gives no dates
- Goal must be to promote exchanges and cooperation, ministry says
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China on Friday said it welcomed a possible visit to the country’s far western region of Xinjiang by the United Nations’ rights chief but stopped short of confirming dates for the visit.
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The South China Morning Post reported on Thursday that China had agreed to host a visit to Xinjiang by UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet in the first half of the year after the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Asked about the visit on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China had been negotiating with Bachelet.
“The Chinese side welcomes the visit to China, including Xinjiang, by the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Ms Michelle Bachelet. We have sent the invitation a long time ago and both sides have maintained communication on the matter,” Zhao said.
“The Chinese position has been clear and consistent that the goal of the visit is to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. We oppose anyone who uses this matter for political manipulation.”
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Zhao also said China had achieved economic prosperity and stability in Xinjiang, and it opposed any effort to use the Xinjiang issue to “attack and smear China”.
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