"We will certainly be raising them again in Alaska," Blinken said on Wednesday when asked if he and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will raise the issue concerning Uyghurs during a meeting with Chinese counterparts on March 18.

Next week, Blinken and Sullivan will travel to Alaska to meet with China's Central Commission Office for Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi and State Councilor Wang Yi.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said earlier that the US officials will discuss a range of issues, but did not provide details.

The meeting will take place after Blinken visits Japan and South Korea early next week.