‘No need for preachers,’ China’s Xi tells UN human rights chief

Xi’s remarks, made in a video call with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Neither the CCTV readout of the meeting nor Bachelet’s statement mentioned Xinjiang. Bachelet is expected to visit the cities of Kashgar and Urumqi in Xinjiang, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. The ministry said her trip will be conducted in a “closed loop” — meaning her delegation will be isolated inside a “bubble” to contain the potential spread of Covid-19, and no international journalists will be allowed to travel with her.”We have no expectation that (China) will grant the necessary access required to conduct a complete, unmanipulated assessment of the human rights environment in Xinjiang,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters Tuesday.”We think it was a mistake to agree to a visit under the circumstances,” Price said, adding that Bachelet would not be able to obtain a full picture “of the atrocities, the crimes against humanity, and genocide” in the region.In a statement Monday, Amnesty International said Bachelet must “address crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations” during her trip.”Michelle Bachelet’s long-delayed visit to Xinjiang is a critical opportunity to address human rights violations in the region, but it will also be a running battle against Chinese government efforts to cover up the truth,” the organization’s Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said.”The UN must take steps to mitigate against this and resist being used to support blatant propaganda.”This story has been updated with a statement from Michelle Bachelet.Additional reporting by Reuters.