HONG KONG (Reuters) – Western China’s development must build a “strong sense of community” and safeguard national unity and border stability, according to a readout from a key Politburo meeting, official news agency Xinhua reported on Friday.
Western China comprises a number of provinces and regions including Xinjiang, Tibet and Yunnan.
“It is necessary to persist in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and earnestly safeguard ethnic unity and stability in the border areas,” the readout said.
Some Western governments have accused Beijing of violating human rights in Xinjiang and Tibet in the name of safeguarding national security. Beijing has vigorously denied any wrongdoing, saying lies were fabricated to smear China’s image.
To construct the “new urbanisation” of Western China, revitalise rural areas and expand poverty alleviation efforts, strengthening the guarantee of energy resources and promoting the construction of clean energy bases was necessary, according to the readout.
Efforts must also be made to adhere to high level protection and promotion of the natural environment of the region, with the “systematic management” of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands and sands. Control of environmental pollution is also key to promoting a green and low-carbon development.
(Reporting by Farah Master, Ryan Woo and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Michael Perry)
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