A senior Chinese official Wednesday, January 10, urged governments at various levels to further safeguard the unity of ethnic groups across the country, so as to maintain social stability in ethnic areas.
State Councilor Ismail Amat made the remarks at a national conference on ethnic work, which opened in Beijing Wednesday.
Amat said that government officials should realize that "anything related to ethnic affairs is by no means trivial." He asked officials to take immediate action to handle issues and problems concerning ethnic affairs.
Maintaining ethnic unity and social stability are in the basic interests of all ethnic groups in the country, he said, noting that developing the economies of ethnic areas is also of vital importance.
Amat said that the governments at all levels should integrate economic development with the well-being of ethnic minorities and further improve the autonomous system in ethnic areas.
Officials in charge of ethnic affairs from all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities attended the conference, which was presided over by Li Dek Su, minister in charge of State Ethnic Affairs Commission.
(People's Daily 01/11/01)
