URUMQI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang stressed further consolidating social stability achievements in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to lay a solid foundation for the region's long-term peace and stability.
Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks during an inspection trip from Monday to Friday in Xinjiang, where he visited villages, communities, schools, enterprises, and religious sites.
Wang spoke of the major achievements of Xinjiang in recent years, which have promoted social stability, optimized industrial structure and led to people living in peace and contentment.
Wang stressed the importance of the work related to ethnic and religious affairs and called for building a stronger sense of community among the Chinese people, as well as promoting broader, deeper and more comprehensive exchanges and interactions among ethnic groups.
He also stressed fully implementing the Party's fundamental policy on religious affairs to protect lawful activities, curb illegal ones, contain extremism, resist infiltration, and fight crimes.
Religious believers should be guided to firmly establish the sense of state, citizenship, and the rule of law, Wang said.
Stressing that development is the economic foundation for long-term peace and stability, Wang called for developing Xinjiang as a core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt with greater efforts to nurture competitive industries, boost urbanization and improve the business environment.
Poverty reduction goals must be accomplished on schedule, Wang said, stressing that not a single ethnic group should be left behind in the country's building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.