Central officials visit Islamic theology academy, university, martyrs cemetery in Xinjiang

Top Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Friday afternoon visited the Islamic Theology Academy and Xinjiang University in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to extend regards to local religious, educational and cultural circles.

Talking with religious people, Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that people in Xinjiang enjoy ample religious freedom, and have made active contribution to local economic and social progress.

Thursday was the Islamic traditional Corban Festival.

In Xinjiang university, Yu said that since the founding of the autonomous region 60 years ago, Xinjiang has taken important steps in the development of educational and cultural undertakings.

He expressed the wish that educatonal and cultural workers continue to participate in and promote reform and development in Xinjiang, providing better services to decision-making of the Party and government.

In the afternoon, Yu and the central government delegaton also visited the Urumqi revolutionary martyres cemetery. He presented flowers to the monument of the people's heroes and viewed materials showcasing their heroic deeds at the exhibition hall.

Yu arrived in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Friday leading a 69-member central government delegation to attend festivities marking the 60th anniversary of the region's founding.

Three sub-delegations of central officials visited various places in Urumqi in the afternoon, to extend festive greetings to local people and service men. Endit