To help accelerate prosperity for China's ethnic groups is one of the top tasks for China's ongoing "Western Development Move," said a senior Chinese official during a recent inspection tour in north China's Inner Mongolia.

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (1st R) talks with locals during an inspection tour in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region June 18, 2005. Zeng made an inspection tour in Inner Mongolia on June 17-21.

All the Chinese ethnic groups should hold together to mutually develop and prosper, which is the theme of our ethnic work in the new century, said Zeng Qinghong, vice president of China.

According to Zeng, the government should devote further effort to forge policies, laws, infrastructure and social environments that will help attract investors.

He said both formation and development of "socialist ethnic relations" that are equal, consolidated, cooperative and harmonious are the major guiding principle for Chinese social policy.

Zeng also urged the government to enhance poverty relief efforts so as to lift the living standard of the public.

Source: Xinhua