国内英语新闻:Top political advisor highlights unity, stability in Tibet

XIGAZE, Tibet, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Thursday highlighted ethnic unity and social stability in Tibet for a better future in the autonomous region.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is in Tibet heading a delegation from the Chinese central government for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region.

In a trip to Xigaze, the second largest city in Tibet, on Thursday, Yu said the city had witnessed dramatic development in recent years thanks to support from the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the people as well as the hard work of Xigaze residents.

The top priority of work in Tibet at present and in the near future, he said, is to strengthen ethnic solidarity and safeguard national unity, promote economic development while improving people's livelihoods, and to enhance social stability and harmony.

While visiting the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, Yu urged Tibetan religious figures to observe religious precepts and national laws at the same time, further advance their religious studies, and help build a better future for the region together with the Tibet's local officials and residents.

He also promised an early start of reconstruction work in the quake-hit township of Zham in Nyalam County. Many people were relocated to Xigaze following the April 25 quake in Nepal, which also affected parts of Tibet.

Tibet marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region earlier this week, and the 65-member delegation headed by Yu, including Vice Premier Liu Yandong, and Du Qinglin, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, is fanning out throughout Tibet to visit residents.

On Wednesday, Yu Zhengsheng underlined the improvements of people's living standards in Lhasa, stressing that the fruit of reforms and development must be shared by people of all ethnic groups.