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Xi Jinping calls for China’s ethnic groups to ‘stick together like pomegranate seeds’
- Speaking to Inner Mongolians at the annual legislative meeting, Chinese leader says unity is necessary to build the country
- He also tells them they have a responsibility to maintain border stability and urges coordinated efforts to control Covid-19
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President Xi Jinping has told Inner Mongolian deputies at the country’s annual legislative session that unity is the “lifeline” for all ethnic groups in China, calling on them to “stick together like pomegranate seeds”.
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Speaking on Saturday, Xi said unity was necessary to build the country, and that the northern autonomous region had a responsibility to maintain the stability of the country’s border, according to official news agency Xinhua.
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to capture the world’s attention, China’s leaders are looking inward during the National People’s Congress in Beijing, with a heavy focus on national unity and loyalty to the ruling Communist Party – and Xi.
Delivering a cautious government report for the year on Saturday, Premier Li Keqiang put the emphasis on maintaining stability and risk control, with no mention of the United States, Europe or the Ukraine crisis.
In his discussion with the Inner Mongolian deputies, Xi called for coordinated efforts to control Covid-19, and for the region to pursue economic and social development with a green focus, while protecting energy, food and industrial security.
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He also said effective measures should be taken to prevent risks in ethnic affairs and to ensure the security of China’s northern border.
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