Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on people of all ethnic groups to join hands for national unification and rejuvenation, stressing efforts to consolidate a stronger sense of community for the Chinese nation.

"People of all ethnicities within the Chinese nation should closely unite together like pomegranate seeds to strive for common prosperity and development of a more diversified and cohesive community with a shared future," Xi said.  

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks Friday at a gathering to honor national role models for ethnic unity and progress.

A total of 665 organizations and 812 individuals were commended for their contributions to ethnic unity and common prosperity.

'Unified and multiethnic'

"China is a unified and multiethnic country," Xi said, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national unification and ethnic unity as the highest and most fundamental interest for people of all ethnic groups.

"Over the long course of Chinese history, all ethnic groups in China have shared weal and woe together, trusting and depending on each other, working together to build the glorious past of the Chinese nation."

Applauding the achievements China has made in the field of ethnic affairs over the past 70 years, Xi said implementing the system of regional ethnic autonomy as a basic policy of the Chinese Communist Party has entitled ethnic minorities equality to exert political rights for the first time in history.  

It is an important step on the correct path towards resolving ethnic problems in a Chinese manner that accords with the realities of life and the needs of people of ethnic groups, he noted. 

Xi also called for adhering to ethnic policies that promote and safeguard the equality, unity and development of all ethnic groups – culturally, legally, and economically.

In particular, he called for fostering cultural exchanges, protecting legal rights, ensuring equal access to public services, and improving the livelihood of the people of all ethnic groups, especially ethnic minorities living in concentrated communities.

The gains of reform and development should benefit people of all ethnic groups in a fair manner, Xi said, stressing the fight to realize the aspirations of people of all ethnic groups to live a better life through modernization and building a moderately prosperous society.

'Solidarity, unity and cohesion'

Xi also underlined solidarity, unity and cohesion in the face of complicated situations at home and abroad.

He demanded high alert and resolute measures to combat all acts of infiltration, subversion and sabotage, as well as violent and terrorist activities, ethnic separatist activities and religious extremist activities.

While presiding over Friday's gathering, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also called for joint efforts from people of all ethnic groups to achieve common prosperity and a bright future.