UN Human Rights commissioner is welcome to visit Xinjiang: Foreign Ministry

Beijing said on Monday it welcomes the UN high commissioner for Human Rights to visit Xinjiang but the tour should not be used as a form of political manipulation to pressure China.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks as reports quoted United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying the international agency was holding serious negotiations with China on gaining unfettered access to the Xinjiang region.

"Xinjiang's door is always wide open," Zhao stressed at the regular press conference.

He said China has sent the invitation to the UN high commissioner and the two sides have maintained communication.

"We hold that the purpose of this visit should facilitate bilateral communication and cooperation, instead of so-called investigation on the presumption of guilt," he underscored.