The Central Government pledged greater support for the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in achieving prosperity and stability.

At a meeting on the development of Xinjiang held in Beijing on March 29 and 30, Vice Premier Li Keqiang called for collaboration between ministries, designated provinces and municipalities and Xinjiang's regional government to transform the region into a moderately affluent society within the next decade.

Xinjiang's development and stability are at a critical juncture, Li said, and national support for the region would be instrumental in its development and essential to its long-term peace and order.

Li said the government aimed to fully launch the support project in 2011 following a year of research, planning and personnel training, and planned to achieve remarkable results for major tasks within the next five years.