Li Changchun (3rd L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, talks with local villagers in Lunang Townshp of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 17, 2012. Li made an inspection tour in Tibet Autonomous Region from July 17 to 21. [Photo/Xinhua]

A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has stressed ethnic unity and cultural development in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, as well as building an "ideological basis" for anti-secession and stability maintenance.

In a five-day visit to Tibet's Nyingchi and Lhasa, the regional capital, Li Changchun, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said improving people's livelihood should always be "a top priority."

At Lhasa's Potala Palace, Li highly praised its role in safeguarding national unification and ethnic unity.

At the Jokhang Temple, Li gave offerings to the monastery, encouraging them to be patriotic and devout and make contributions to ethnic unity and the ethnic cultural development.

With a history of more than 1,300 years, the Joke Temple is a major historical site for China's Tibetan Buddhism.

"Ethnic unity, social harmony and stability is the lifeline for Tibet," he said, adding that the ethnic unity education and the anti-separatism battle should be deepened.

Meanwhile, agricultural and pastoral areas in Tibet should be a focus in strengthening the construction of radio and TV networks so that people of various ethnic groups could share the cultural reform fruit, Li said.

The official also visited the headquarters of the Tibet Daily and its news website, asking the staff to "introduce a real and changing Tibet to the whole world."

Tibet should seize the opportunity of the implementation of the western development strategy, and innovative efforts should be made to promote the region's leapfrog development and lasting stability, Li said.

Li Changchun (3rd R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, inspects at the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 20, 2012. Li made an inspection tour in Tibet Autonomous Region from July 17 to 21. [Photo/Xinhua]

Li Changchun (R, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shakes hands with an editor of "Chinatibetnews.com" in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 20, 2012. Li made an inspection tour in Tibet Autonomous Region from July 17 to 21. [Photo/Xinhua]

Li Changchun (L, front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visits local villagers in Lunang Townshp of Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 17, 2012. Li made an inspection tour in Tibet Autonomous Region from July 17 to 21. [Photo/Xinhua]