Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said on Wednesday that the country welcomes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to visit its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region this year.
Speaking at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen said the Chinese government has received in Xinjiang over 1,000 diplomats, international organization officials, reporters and religious leaders of various countries, adding that China is willing to invite people to visit the region to see its development with their own eyes.
"We are looking forward to the visit of the high commissioner, Mrs. Bachelet, to China including to Xinjiang this year, and we are working closely with her office on detailed arrangements for her visit," Chen said.
China firmly opposes and never accepts the arbitrary attacks by certain countries over Xinjiang-related issues, the Chinese diplomat stressed, noting that the attacks are based on prejudice against and misjudgment about China.
He added that China has taken a series of counterterrorism and deradicalization measures in Xinjiang, including setting up vocational education and training centers. All those who took part in deradicalization programs at the centers have graduated and found stable jobs with the government's help, he said, hailing their reintegration into the society.
The measures have greatly improved security in Xinjiang and safeguarded the human rights of people of various ethnic groups living there, which is also a major contribution to the international counterterrorism and deradicalization efforts, Chen said.
"China always regards people's wellbeing as the biggest human right," he stressed, noting that the country will eradicate absolute poverty and complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year.
