Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Thursday stressed the importance of ethnic unity and balanced prosperity in his visit to southern Tibet's Shannan Prefecture.

Hui told officials of the prefecture that they should always stick to the policy of uniting all ethnic groups and bringing the prosperity to all ethnic groups fairly.

Hui said officials should always bear in mind that the Han Chinese and ethnic minorities cannot live without each other, and different ethnic minorities are inter-dependent on each other.

Hui said development holds the key to solve China's ethnic issues. He ordered Shannan cadres and officials to seize the opportunity for development, uphold ethnic unity, govern well religious affairs, and maintain social stability.

The vice premier visited rural families in the county of Nedong, urging local officials to try all sorts of methods to raise the average income of local herders and farmers.

Hui also stressed the importance of preserving ecology in economic development to protect Tibet's environment.

Hui is in Tibet as the deputy head of a Central Government delegation led by Vice President Xi Jinping to attend celebrations since July 17 marking the 60th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2011)