Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang (C) talks with villagers in Wensu County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 21, 2010. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

URUMQI, March 23, 2010 -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has stressed that economic growth should serve the improvement of people's livelihood so as to promote ethnic unity and social stability in the country's far west Xinjiang region.

Li made the remarks during his inspection tour to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from Sunday to Tuesday.

He urged the region to follow the decisions and policies of the central authorities to seek synchro progress between economic development and improvement of people's livelihood and promote prosperity, ethnic harmony and social stability.

When visiting a low-rent housing community, he called for efforts to build welfare houses for low income groups in a faster pace so that the fruits of social, economic progress can be shared by all.

Li also stressed the improvement of public services and the building of a social security net for people from all ethnic groups.

He said the government will support labor-intensive companies and small and medium enterprises to create more jobs.

The vice premier also visited people affected by sleet and snow disasters in winter. He urged local cadres to secure adequate supply of life necessities for them.