Wen stresses development, stability for Xinjiang

URUMQI - Premier Wen Jiabao has stressed that promoting leapfrog development in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is key to the region's long-term stability, urging the full use of local resources and improvements in people's livelihoods.

"The development and stability of Xinjiang is closely related to the country's overall situations concerning reform, development and security... We must step up efforts to build a more prosperous, harmonious and stable Xinjiang," Wen said during his inspection tour of Xinjiang from September 3 to 5.

Wen urged the region to accelerate the construction of major bases for gas, oil, coal and wind energy, and foster pillar industries in these fields to lead development in other sectors.

According to Wen, both infrastructure construction and various industrial and commercial projects should focus on improving local people's livelihoods by increasing employment and incomes.