Chinese senior leaders Luo Gan and Hui Liangyu visited armies, farmers and herdsmen in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to convey the Party and government's regards to them at the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region.

"We should keep vigilant against terrorism and improve our anti-terrorism ability to ensure the region's health development," said Luo Gan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, when visiting armed police stationed in Ili of Xinjiang.

Luo also visited herdsmen in the Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili.

Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu and vice-chairwomen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Liu Yandong visited other places of Xinjiang, expressing greetings to senior Party members, army soldiers and officers and workers there.

Famous for containing the historical Silk Road, Xinjiang is adjacent on eight countries and has opened 17 ports, serving an important portal for China to connect with middle and western Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2005)