UN rights boss expected in China, including restive Xinjiang region, this year - envoy

China expects U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to visit the country this year, including its restive Xinjiang region, its Geneva ambassador said on Wednesday. U.N. experts and activists say at least 1 million ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims are held in detention centers in Xinjiang. China describes them as training centers helping to stamp out terrorism and extremism and give people new skills.

"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 Xu told the U.N. Human Rights Council, where Germany and others raised concerns this week. Bachelet's spokesman had no immediate comment.