Foreign Minister Wang Yi has welcomed the United Nations human rights chief to China, saying he hopes her trip will "clarify misinformation".

Michelle Bachelet's landmark trip to China is the first by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 17 years. She is set to visit the cities of Urumqi and Kashgar in Xinjiang on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a six-day tour.

Wang expressed the hope that "this trip would help enhance understanding and cooperation, and clarify misinformation," during a Monday meeting with Bachelet, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The foreign minister told Bachelet that Beijing has always protected citizens' legitimate rights and interests and safeguarded the rights of ethnic minorities.

The UN High Commissioner's office said last year it believes the mostly Muslim ethnic Uyghurs in Xinjiang have been unlawfully detained, mistreated and forced to work. Beijing denies the allegations. (Xinhua/AFP)