Zhou Yongkang (R, Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also the secretary of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, visits deputies to the Fourth Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and joins their panel discussion in Beijing, capital of China, March 11, 2011. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Friday urged authorities in far western Xinjiang to crack down on all separatist and sabotage activities in the ethnic region that was rocked by a deadly riot almost two years ago.
When joining in a panel discussion with legislators from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at the ongoing annual parliamentary session in Beijing, Zhou Yongkang, secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Political and Legal Affairs, called on local authorities to make unremitting efforts to maintain social harmony and stability.
He said the country's 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015) will be a critical period for Xinjiang to achieve leapfrog development and long-lasting peace and stability.
"Officials of different ethnic groups must be down-to-earth, work for the people wholeheartedly, and earnestly implement the CPC Central Committee's polices for Xinjiang to bring benefits for people of all ethnic groups," he said.
The July 5 riot in the Xinjiang regional capital Urumqi in 2009 left 197 people dead and more than 1,700 injured.