Chinese leader stresses ethnic unity to minorities

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

BEIJING — China's president called Tuesday for the strengthening of ethnic unity in the country — his first public comments on the issue more than three weeks after deadly riots in the far west killed nearly 200 people.

President Hu Jintao did not directly refer to the violence in Xinjiang between minority Uighurs and majority Han Chinese. He has not publicly appeared in the region since the July 5 riots in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi.

"Peoples of all ethnicities should respect each other, care for each other, and help each other to achieve common progress," Hu said on a tour of southwestern Yunnan province. "Let the flower of ethnic unity bloom brightly and beautifully."

The Xinjiang violence was China's worst ethnic unrest in decades, with 197 people left dead and more than 1,700 wounded. Most of the dead were Han Chinese, though Uighurs say they believe many more of their community were killed in the ensuing government crackdown.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSjMTGA_93sjHUt2y3ACaI8ak7vQD99NGNK80

[imdjh]

1. I am the morale officer. There will be morale. Commence with friendly conversation. Now.

[David__77]

2. More money and development for Xinjiang, Tibet, etc., would be a good start.

I know that China does subsidize these regions, but pouring billions in would be a good thing for China's national security and unity of different nationalities. These minority nationalities have suffered from backward economic conditions and this is a legitimate grievance. Prosperous people will be content and that will facilitate China's unity.

[No Elephants]

3. Ethnic unity? Wonder when we get around to humanity unity?