Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a three-day visit to north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, visiting forestry stations, prairies, enterprises and communities. He called on people of all ethnic groups to unite to promote economic and social development, and defend the country's northern border.

Xi Jinping visited local residents, offering New Year greetings to people of all ethnic groups.

One of the people the president visited in the northeast of Inner Mongolia, was 74-year-old Guo Yongcai, who lives in poverty.

Xi Jinping urged local cadres to accelerate development of the area to allow people living there to move to new homes as soon as possible.

In a visit to a community in the city of Xilinhot, Xi Jinping called on Communist Party officials working in communities to make residents' lives more convenient and comfortable.

In Xilingol League in western Inner Mongolia, a herdsman spoke of the lack of electricity and transportation. Xi Jinping urged the local government to draw up plans to resolve these problems. He said local governments should step up efforts to modernise traditional husbandry and explore measures to help local herdsmen.

The president also visited a dairy producer where he commented on food safety, saying producers should make more efforts to provide high-quality food.

During a visit to a children's welfare home, Xi Jinping watched children's performance and learned sign language with them. He called for more care from society for orphans and disabled children.

Before leaving, President Xi Jinping heard a report from the regional government. He stressed ethnic unity for economic and social development in minority areas and acknowledged the region's achievements in economic and social development through ethnic unity.

He urged local Party officials to cultivate a good work style and rely on the wisdom of local people to deepen reform.