The ruling Communist Party is accused of detaining over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the far-western region as part of a years-long crackdown the United States and lawmakers in other Western countries have labelled a "genocide." China vehemently denies the allegations, calling them the "lie of the century." Michelle Bachelet is expected to visit the Xinjiang cities of Urumqi and Kashgar on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a six-day tour. She met Foreign Minister Wang Yi who "expressed the hope that this trip would help enhance understanding," according to a readout of the meeting released late Monday.
In its report of the meeting, state news agency Xinhua said Bachelet "congratulated China on its important achievements in economic and social development and in promoting the protection of human rights." Bachelet's spokesperson did not confirm to AFP what was said outside the opening comments. But Uyghurs, the main victims of an alleged campaign of repression, raised doubts about her presence if the trip is as highly controlled as expected. Nursimangul Abdureshid, a Uyghur living in Turkey, said she was "not very hopeful that her trip can bring any change."
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