Uyunqimg, vice chairwoman of China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislature, stressed in Tianjin on Friday the importance of strengthening the legal system for ethnic relations to maintain social stability.

Addressing a seminar on NPC ethnic affairs work, she said the NPC should continue to improve the system of regional autonomy for ethnic minorities and concretely push forward implementation of relevant law.

She said auxiliary laws and regulations should be made to gradually build a complete legal system on ethnic affairs.

The NPC should also conduct regular checks of the implementation of relevant laws and regulations, she said.

She called for sensing the urgency of improving the ethnic affairs work.

The senior legislator also urged relevant authorities to promote "scientific development" in minority-inhabited regions. While promoting economic growth, efforts should be made to improve medical, health, educational, cultural and personnel training conditions in these areas.

Due respect should be paid to the customs, values and religious beliefs of minorities and their histories, she said, adding that people should not talk and act in ways that might hurt the feelings of ethnic groups, she said.

She said ethnic relations should be regulated in accordance with law.

Separatist activities aimed at sabotaging ethnic relations should be curbed according to law and efforts should be made to maintain national unity and social stability, she noted.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2008)