China's president Xi Jinping has stressed inclusive development on a visit to northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In addition to poverty alleviation, Xi also called for religious harmony and environmenal protection.

Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with local muslims at Xincheng Mosque in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 19, 2016. Xi made a three-day inspection tour in Ningxia.[Xinhua]?

Ningxia, is a comparitively less developed region with a high concentration of ethnic minorities. During his tour of the region, President Xi said "No region or ethnic group should be left behind."

Xi visited two villages, to assess poverty relief work there - a priority for China in the next few years. He talked with the villagers about their livelihood, and urged Party members to be proactive in tackling poverty.

In the regional capital, Yinchuan, Xi inspected an incubator park established through cooperation with east China's Zhejiang province. He encouraged more investment enterprises and joint poverty relief efforts in western China.

During his tour, Xi visited a Mosque, and spent time talking with imams and Muslims. Ningxia has a population of around 6.7 million, with over one third of them Muslim.

Xi encouraged efforts to promote religious and social harmony while guarding against illegal infiltration via religious means. He added that economic and social development should be accelerated in regions mainly inhabited by ethnic minority groups, to promote unity and cohesion.

During his trip, Xi also called for improved environmental protection. Xi noted that Ningxia is an important barrier for ecological security in north western China, and said construction of "green barriers" should be strengthened.

The Yellow River, also known as China's "mother river" - passes through the region and Xi said Ningxia should improve efforts to protect its ecological resources, curbing water pollution and protecting lakes and wetlands in the region.