(JU PENG)

Chinese President Hu Jintao talks with residents of the Uygur ethnic group in Aksu during his visit to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on August 22-25.

It was Hu's first tour to the multiethnic northwestern region since the deadly riot in Xinjiang's capital city of Urumqi last month. Hu said that separatist attempts by those who masterminded the Urumqi riot are "doomed to fail."

Hu called on Xinjiang residents of all ethnic groups to focus on economic development and spare no effort to maintain social stability and promote ethnic unity and common prosperity.

The president also reiterated that the state will take more

efficient measures to support ethnic minorities.