Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, reiterated Wednesday that development is the party's most significant task currently.
Jia, also chairman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made this remark during an inspection in northwest China's Shaanxi and Gansu provinces and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
Jia called on further solidarity in all aspects of the united front, in a bid to promote social progress and economic development of the country.
China's vast western areas play an important role in realizing the general goal of achieving moderate prosperity in an all-around way proposed in the 16th Party Congress, Jia noted.
He encouraged China's western region to grasp the opportunities of the country's western development strategy, which can help turn local advantages in energy resources into economic development.
Jia also stressed the importance of correctly handling problems concerning ethnic minorities and religions.
Local governments should devote more efforts to resolving the practical difficulties of ethnic groups, ensuring they have adequate food and clothing and education opportunities as well as timely medical treatment services, Jia said.
(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2003)
