KUNMING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for people of all ethnic backgrounds to show mutual respect and concern during a four-day inspection tour of Yunnan Province.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) smiles during a chat with residents of Hui nationality and Yi nationality at Mashipu village in Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 26, 2009. Hu inspected the province from July 25 to July 28.(Xinhua/Ju Peng) Photo Gallery>>>

    He urged redoubled efforts to preserve the hard-won unity of all ethnic groups and to implement fully the country's policies on ethnic minorities. His visit to the province, which is home to 26 different ethnic groups, ended on Tuesday.

    People of all ethnic groups should help each other and progress together, he told community residents of Wuhua District in Kunming, provincial capital of Yunnan.

    During a tour of the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture in central Yunnan, Hu talked to villagers and met minority delegates.

    The Communist Party of China and the government are to emphasize more strongly developing areas inhabited by ethnic minorities and strengthen support to improve their livelihood, he said.

    All ethnic minorities are important members of the Chinese family, Hu said. Unity guaranteed prosperity and development of minority-inhabited areas and the welfare of all ethnic groups.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R, front) shakes hands with soldiers who are cleaning ruins in Guantun Township of Yao'an County, the epicenter of a magnitude-6.0 quake on July 9, in Chuxiong, southwest China's Yunnan Province July 27, 2009. Hu inspected the province from July 25 to July 28.(Xinhua) Photo Gallery>>>

    During his stay in Kunming, Hu also visited industrial and mine companies and inspected the construction of ecological projects.

    He asked companies to embrace innovation and expand their markets to offset the impact of the global economic downturn, and urged local authorities to step up the fight against pollution.

    He also called for continued efforts to expand domestic demand and consumption, optimizing investment structure, and full play for investment in driving economic growth.

    In Guantun Township of Yao'an County, the epicenter of a magnitude-6.0 quake on July 9, Hu talked with quake-affected villagers, inquiring about the effects that the quake had on each household and people's daily life.

    With the firm leadership of the Party and the government, support from all walks of life and joint efforts of all villagers, the current problems will be solved and homes will be rebuilt, he told the villagers.

    He asked local officials to prioritize quake-relief and reconstruction projects and properly take care of the livelihood of quake-affected people.

    In his conversation with military officers stationed in the area, Hu called for efforts to enhance military capacity in addressing multiple security threats and accomplishing various military tasks.

    Whiling listening to a work report by the provincial government, Hu asked government leaders of all ethnic groups to unify their will and make strenuous efforts in building the region.

    Efforts should be made to educate and select minority leaders, encourage grassroots Party committees in serving people of all ethnic groups, safeguarding ethnic unity and promoting social harmony, he said.