Vice Premier Wang Yang has called for targeted and efficient measures to eradicate poverty in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, noting that it is vital to ensure the regional stability.

Poverty alleviation is of great significance to long-term stability in Xinjiang, Wang said during his four-day tour that ended on September 21.

He urged comprehensive efforts to address the symptoms and root causes of poverty in the region, and focus on major poverty-stricken areas to fulfill the mission.

Agricultural water conservation facilities should be enhanced and water-efficient agriculture should be promoted. Local authorities should strengthen education of local language and Mandarin, as well as vocational training, to enable local residents to find jobs.

Official data showed around 1.74 million people in Xinjiang have risen above the poverty line in the past five years.

The per capita annual income of farmers in counties classified as the most impoverished increased to 6,690 yuan (around $1,029) last year from 3,543 yuan in 2011, the local government said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2016)