Jia Qinglin visited Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regionfor an investigating and researching tour from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7.

    YINCHUAN, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- During a visit to northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin urged local governments to improve the living standards of ethnic minorities as a key part of work on ethnic unity.

    September is the "Ethnic Unity Month" in Ningxia. Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visited a local community where Hui and Han ethnic residents live together.

    "The friendliness between Hui and Han people reflects the unity of all Chinese ethnic groups. Practices prove that the (Communist)Party's ethnic policy is successful and should be upheld steadily," said Jia, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau.

    He said improving ethnic minorities' living quality was the groundwork for solving ethnic issues.

    In addition, Jia encouraged religious people to unite together under the policies of the Party and the central government and contribute their own efforts in building a better homeland.

    From Sept. 3 to 7, Jia visited local families, companies and plantations to review the local economic, ethnic and religious situations.