URUMQI - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday urged firmly grasping the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the overall national situation and better building a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when he was briefed in Urumqi about the work of the Party committee and government of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

He demanded thorough, meticulous, concrete and sustained efforts to develop a beautiful Xinjiang that is united, harmonious, prosperous, and culturally advanced, with healthy ecosystems and people living and working in contentment, in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization.

Xi was in Xinjiang after returning to China from the 15th BRICS Summit and a state visit to South Africa.

Recognizing Xinjiang's achievements in various aspects, Xi said the work related to Xinjiang is of special importance in the work of the Party and the country, and concerns the overall task of building China into a strong modern socialist country in all respects and promoting the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Efforts should be made not only to address prominent problems currently constraining Xinjiang's development and stability, but to make long-term arrangements to promote fundamental, basic and long-term work for enduring prosperity and stability in the region, he said.