Top political advisor stresses ethnic unity, religious harmony, social stability

China's top political advisor Wang Yang has called for continuous efforts to consolidate and develop ethnic unity, religious harmony and social stability, win the battle against poverty and improve people's livelihood.

Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while examining work related to ethnic and religious affairs and poverty alleviation in the Tibetan-inhabited areas in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Wang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said it was especially important for Yunnan to make effective efforts in ethnic and religious works as the province is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious region in China.

"We must fully implement the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, adhere to the direction of sinicization of religions in China, strengthen rule of law in religious work and provide active guidance to religions so they can adapt themselves to socialist society," said Wang.

The religious circle must oppose all separatist and sabotage activities, Wang stressed.

He also pointed out that poverty alleviation remained an arduous task in the Tibetan-inhabited areas in Yunnan and urged the province to make due efforts to accomplish the historic task of shaking off absolute poverty on time.

Wang underlined the importance of education to help people in poor areas enhance their capacity for self-development.

During the tour, Wang visited poor families in rural areas, villager's committees, community service centers and religious venues, to learn about local economic and social development, poverty alleviation work, ethnic unity and management of religious venues. He also listened to reports on poverty alleviation in the province.

Editor: John Li