Multiple ethnic groups and religions living together in harmony is what makes Xinjiang prosper, a top leader of China's largest administrative region said.

Covering the largest area of all the province-level administrative regions of China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region covers one sixth of Chinese territory. Multiple ethnic groups and religions coexist in Xinjiang, and more than 60 percent of the population is made up of ethnic minorities.

Talking of the ethnic policy in Xinjiang, Kurax Mahesut, vice-chairman of the regional government, said that the nationalities living together in harmony is what makes Xinjiang prosper.

"This (stability) is very important for us after 50 years of lessons and experiences since the liberation of Xinjiang. Without stability, we are not grounded to talk about economic development and improvement of people's life," Kurax Mahesut told chinadaily.com.cn in a recent interview.  

Under the direction of this policy, Xinjiang takes the initiative to carry out ethnic and religious policies that protect legitimate ethnic and religious activities and crack down upon illegal ethnic and religious activities.

According to Kurax Mahesut, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have come to realize that only under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, along with self-reliance and stability will they have the opportunity to develop the region.

Meanwhile, the central government is accelerating investment in the region to boost the local economy, and in particular improve the living standards of local residents.

Kurax Mahesut said: "Xinjiang is benefiting from national unity and social stability. It is developing in the best time of its history. And in this kind of environment, Xinjiang's economy is developing quickly, which in turn yields more and more material benefits to local residents and improves their lives. And because of that, local residents become closer with the party and the government. This explains the satisfactory situation in Xinjiang."