China empahasizes education support for ethnic minorities

Yu Zhengsheng (C front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits students from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at the Changqing No. 1 Middle School in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 13, 2014. Yu made a research and inspection tour in Shandong on Sept. 12 - 15. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Monday called for more support for students from Xinjiang and Tibet.

It is important to promote education of the inland ethnic students for understanding and unity among ethnic groups, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Yu was speaking during a visit to east China's Shandong province where he met local teachers and ethnic students. He urged schools and teachers to care for and educate inland ethnic students like their own children.

Learning partner programs and outdoor activities between ethnic and Han Chinese students are highly recommended to increase their recognition of national integration, Chinese culture and socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Yu also highlighted the promotion of inland provinces' partner assistance to Xinjiang during his trip in Shandong.

He called for more attention to the development of labor-intensive industries in order to increase the employment rate of ethnic minorities and improve people's livelihoods.

China has sent Tibetan and Xinjiang students to high schools in inland cities since 1985 and 2000 respectively, in hope of training more professionals for the regions and boosting development.