Uighur leader says blood on Britain's red carpet welcome for China's Xi

President Xi Jinping of China addresses attendees during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, in this September 28, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Files

TOKYO (Reuters) - The red carpet Britain is laying out this week to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping is stained with the blood of Uighurs, Tibetans and dissidents, a top exiled Uighur leader said on Monday, calling the lavish reception "unfortunate".

Britain has been criticised by activists for putting human rights on the backburner when it comes to forging ties with China, though British officials say they do bring up the subject but in private as it is a better way to effect change.