Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday called on people in the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to make new achievements in scientific development and social harmony.

While joining the Xinjiang delegation to the parliament in panel discussion, Hu urged Xinjiang officials and people to grasp the opportunities brought forth by the strategy of large-scale development of the western region to enhance stability and prosperity, and to ensure a stable border area by making local people rich.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L) meets with deputies to the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Beijing, China, March 8, 2008. Hu Jintao joined in the panel discussion of Xinjiang delegation on Saturday during the First Session of the 11th NPC.

He urged officials to take new steps to achieve sound and rapid economic development, ensure people's well being, improve their lives, enhance social harmony, improve work related to religious and ethnic affairs, and make more efforts in strengthening unity among ethnic groups.

Senior leaders including Wen Jiabao, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang also joined panel discussions of the National People's Congress on Saturday.

Wen, while discussing with the Henan delegation, said agriculture is crucial for the fast yet steady economic development and holding down inflation, urging governments at various levels to give top priority to agriculture.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd L) meets with deputies to the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from central China's Henan Province in Beijing, China, March 8, 2008. Wen Jiabao joined in the panel discussion of Henan delegation on Saturday during the First Session of the 11th NPC.

He called on the officials and people in Henan, a central province that garners 50 billion kg grains annually, to contribute more to the country's grain safety and supplies of agricultural products.

Joining discussions of the Hebei Province delegation, Li Keqiang said the northern province, located in Bohai Sea rim, a key area in the Northeast Asia economic zone, should fully exploit its advantages to promote innovation and foster new industries to improve the people's livelihood and boost social and economic development.

Li Keqiang (R front), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with deputies to the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from north China's Hebei Province in Beijing, China, March 8, 2008. Li Keqiang joined in the panel discussion of Hebei delegation on Saturday during the First Session of the 11th NPC.

He Guoqiang, joining deputies from the northwestern Qinghai Province, said more efforts should be made in infrastructure construction and environment protection, particularly in the source area of China's most famed rivers, including the Yangtze and Yellow River. He also called for unity among different ethnic groups to maintain social stability.

During discussions with the Shanxi delegation, Zhou Yongkang said the coal-rich northern province should underline energy conservation, environment protection and workplace safety in its building of a modern energy base.