The imbalance of living standards in Xinjiang is a regional problem rather than an ethnic one, a senior local official said Sunday.

The imbalance is mainly seen between different regions, urban and rural residents and industries, said Nur Berkri, chairman of the Xinjiang autonomous regional government.

In the region, underdevelopment is usually caused by history, natural resources, environment and low production level, in stead of ethnic factors, he added.

Nur Berkri made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2010)