Xi stresses unity for Tibet, vows fight against separatism

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping has underlined national and ethnic unity as the key plans for Tibet, vowing a focus on long-term, comprehensive stability and an unswerving anti-separatism battle.

"Key efforts in the work for Tibet should be spent on ensuring national unity and consolidating ethnic unity, with realizing long-term and comprehensive social stability as an obligatory task," Xi said at a two-day meeting regarding southwest China's Tibet autonomous region which ended on Tuesday.

Xi said the country should "firmly take the initiative" in the fight against separatism, vowing to crack down on all activities seeking to separate the country and destroy social stability.

During the meeting, Xi reiterated a series of strategies that have been in effect, citing an idea that governing border areas is the key for governing a country, and stabilizing Tibet is a priority for governing border areas.

The President called for a comprehensive and accurate implementation of the Party's policies concerning ethnic and religious affairs as well as efforts to increase a sense of identity for people from various ethnic groups with "the motherland, Chinese nationality, Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics."

Xi urged the promotion of Marxist values in people's views on ethnics, religion and culture.

According to Xi, authorities must draft long-term plans and rely on local officials and ordinary people to ensure persistent stability for Tibet and neighboring provinces, which are home to many people of Tibetan and other ethnic minorities, including Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Gansu.

Xi urged officials in the region to keep pace with the CPC Central Committee in their thoughts and deeds, telling them to "cherish unity as if it was their eyes."

"We should help people of various ethnic groups understand, support, appreciate and study from each other," Xi said, calling for more educational campaigns to promote ethnic unity and a sense of belonging to the same Chinese nationality.

According to Xi, efforts should be made to promote patriotism among the Tibetan Buddhist circle and effectively manage monasteries in the long run, encouraging interpretations of religious doctrines "that are compatible with a socialist society."