The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) convened its 18th briefing session on issues of major concern on Sept 29 in Beijing, focusing on further utilizing the mechanism of paired assistance and collaboration between the eastern and western regions. 

Bater, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the meeting. 

Guo Lanfeng, a member of the leading Party members group of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), briefed on related work, noting that the NDRC has been steadily advancing paired assistance efforts for Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Xizang autonomous region, contributing to the high-quality economic and social development of the two regions. The sense of gain, happiness and security among local people has continuously improved, he said. 

For the next step, Guo said further efforts will be focused on targeted, systematic and long-term assistance, improvement of mechanisms, and increasing exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups. Efforts will also made to improve standards of living and foster local specialty industries to drive employment. Meanwhile, the NDRC will work on the implementation of related measures and the promotion of successful experiences in paired assistance, he added. 

Ren Xianguang, head of the Department of Common Development of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, introduced the commission's efforts in coordinating paired assistance and collaboration between the eastern and western regions. Emphasis has been placed on promoting specialty industries in regions inhabited by minority ethnic groups, improving infrastructure, enhancing public services, advancing educational campaign on fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, promoting exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups, and the cultivation of talents. These efforts have resulted in historic achievements in economic development, social harmony and improved living standards. 

During the meeting, CPPCC National Committee members exchanged views with officials from various ministries and commissions on how to better align industrial paired assistance with the transfer of industries to central and western regions, implement pre-established standards for paired assistance programs, leverage cultural tourism in facilitating exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups, and promote new quality productive forces in western China.