'Ethnic unity is key to harmony'

Eliminating estrangement and improving understanding among people from different ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region are crucial to the future of the region and China, the chairman of the region said.

"Ethnic unity is key to solving the problems in Xinjiang and it also plays a special and significant role in China," said Shohrat Zakir, the newly elected chairman of Xinjiang, during an exclusive interview with China Daily.

The region is home to people of more than 13 ethnic groups, and Uygurs make up more than 46 percent of its population.