Zhou Yongkang (C), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at a training session for cadres being sent to Xinjiang to support the region's development, in Beijing, China, June 2, 2010. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, June 2, 2010 -- Senior Chinese leader Zhou Yongkang on Wednesday called for efforts to ensure "leapfrog development and lasting stability" in western China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Speaking at a training session in Beijing for cadres being sent to Xinjiang to support the region's development, Zhou said the "pairing assistance" model for Xinjiang must be promoted to ensure the prosperity of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and to build a well-off society in an all-round way.

The "pairing assistance" model, revealed by the Chinese central government at a high-level meeting on March 29 and 30, requires 19 provinces and cities to support the development of Xinjiang.

Zhou, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the provinces and cities assisting Xinjiang should give priority to enhancing people's livelihoods by improving their housing conditions and the social security systems in the region, as well as by boosting employment and promoting bilingual education.

Efforts must be made to help Xinjiang build industrial parks and development its agriculture and animal husbandry sectors to bridge the development gap between Xinjiang and eastern China's coastal areas to improve local residents' living standards, he said.

The assisting provinces and cities should also help Xinjiang train cadres and talented people, improve education in the region, and safeguard social stability and harmony, Zhou said.

He called on the assisting provinces and cities to prioritize the needs of Xinjiang's local people so people of all ethnic groups can benefit from the "pairing assistance."