People's Daily carries an editorial Saturday hailing the convening of the Central Conference on the Work of Ethnic Affairs and the Fourth National Award-Issuing Ceremony on Ethnic Unity and Progress of the State Council.

The editorial highlights the speech made by President Hu Jintao, calling it a "guiding document for the work of ethnic affairs in the new century and new period."

"We should study and understand it in a profound way and implement it in a serious manner."

Under the strong leadership of the Party, it says, the unity of the 56 ethnic groups in China has provided an important guarantee for the nation's economic development, political stability, cultural prosperity and social progress.

This is a great success of the Party's policy and work on ethnic affairs, says the article.

To push forward the work of ethnic affairs in the new century and new period, it is a must to always take joint endeavor and common prosperity and development of all ethnic groups as the main theme, it says.

The editorial urges people of all ethnic groups to follow the pace of the times and uphold the banner of patriotism for new achievements in maintaining national unity and prosperity.

Source: Xinhua