Vice-Premier Liu Yandong attended the plenary meeting of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission held on Dec 21 in Beijing, and called for efforts to open a new stage of its work.

Ethnic affairs work has made great progress since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Liu said.

She said efforts must be made to implement the work of the 19th National Congress of CPC, and innovate to promote unity and progress among ethnic groups.

The vice-premier called for leapfrog development in regions inhabited by ethnic groups to relieve poverty, and improve public services.

Exchanges and communications should be enhanced among all ethnic groups to maintain unity and social stability, the vice-premier said.

She also stressed firm Party leadership in the commission’s work.