China's senior leaders met in Beijing Friday to discuss Tibet's development and its long-term stability.

The leaders, presided over by President Hu Jintao, stressed the system of regional autonomy of ethnic minorities and a development path with Chinese characteristics and suited to Tibet's regional conditions.

The meeting was attended by members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee who agreed Tibet's development important to the building of a well-off Chinese society, safeguarding national security, and the fundamental interests and long-term development of the Chinese nation.

They pledged to give priority to economic construction in the region, underlined ethnic unity and the improvement of living standards, and stressed that efforts should be made to protect Tibet's ecosystem.

Participants agreed to ramp up support measures for the development of Tibet in the areas of economy, human resources and technology.