Top advisor stresses ethnic unity

Representatives from ethnic groups across the country attending a series of events in Beijing to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China have been encouraged to uphold ethnic unity and strengthen a sense of community for the good of the Chinese nation.

Wang Yang, chairman of the nation's top political advisory body, met with the delegation on Friday. He encouraged them to firmly establish correct views in terms of the country, history, ethnic groups, culture and religion, and continuously enhance the identity of the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He told the representatives to bear in mind that the leadership of the CPC is the foundation and lifeblood of the country, and is tied to the interests and destiny of people of all ethnic groups.

They should also resolutely fight against ethnic separatist forces, overcome narrow nationalism, protect ethnic unity like caring for their own eyes and promote the integration of different ethnic groups, said Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The delegation was organized by the National Ethnic Affairs Commission and consisted of 516 representatives of different ethnic groups from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force. Many of them are national role models who have made contributions to national unity, poverty alleviation and the fight against COVID-19.

Wang had the meeting with the delegation one day after they attended the celebration of the centenary of the CPC, at which General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping made an important speech.

On Friday, the delegation also held a symposium reflecting on Xi's speech. Fifteen representatives from different ethnic groups made remarks, saying they were very excited and inspired. They also shared the drastic changes in their hometowns and gave opinions on work related to ethnic affairs.

Chen Xiaojiang, director of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, stressed that members of the delegation should study and implement the spirit of Xi's remarks, unswervingly follow the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics and promote the cause of ethnic unity and progress.

Chemi Dorji, from the Tibetan ethnic group in Sichuan province, said he was "particularly excited" by Xi's speech and has deeply felt the original aspiration of the CPC to "work for the happiness of the Chinese people and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".

A long-distance mail truck driver at China Post Corp's branch in Garze county, Chemi Dorji has spent 32 years delivering mail and parcels on a local road known for harsh weather and poor transportation conditions with an average altitude of 3,500 meters.

He said he has witnessed how the Party helped people in Garze county live a happy life. When he was little, the only connection between his hometown and the outside world was the postal truck. It was the Party and the government that have put great investment in transportation construction and built the expressways, tunnels and bridges in the county.

"As a representative from the plateau, I can feel that our local villagers of various ethnic groups are wholeheartedly grateful to the Party and I can truly appreciate the determination of the Party to leave 'no one behind' on the course to achieving common prosperity," Chemi Dorji said.