Chinese leaders met on Thursday to discuss economic and social development in Tibet, and how to ensure the autonomous region achieve prolonged stability.

"Safeguarding national unity and strengthening ethnic unity should be highlighted in work involving Tibet," said a statement issued after the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presided over by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping.

"Efforts should be made to unswervingly carry out the anti-separatism battle, promote the region's economic and social development, safeguard and improve people's welfare, and enhance exchanges and integration of different ethnic groups," according to the statement.

The leaders agreed that strengthening Tibetan infrastructure, helping it foster competitive industries while ensuring environmental protection are the means to achieve marked improvement in living conditions and more social cohesion.

They said they would maintain national religious policies and promote patriotism in Tibet.

According to the statement, they also promised more support for a project designed to provide assistance to Tibet by pairing its cities with flourishing coastal cities and state-owned enterprises.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2015)