Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have made instructions calling for greater efforts to accelerate the development of 22 ethnic groups with a smaller population each in the country.

Addressing a national conference on helping the development of smaller ethnic groups on Aug. 29-30, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said that it is a major policy decision the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council have made, as well as an important task for the country's work on ethnic affairs during the new century and the new period, to help accelerate the development of smaller ethnic groups.

The vice premier called for implementing the 2005-2010 plan on helping the development of smaller ethnic groups that has been approved by the State Council.

In his speech, the vice premier described ways to promote economic and social development of these ethnic groups. He pledged to improve their infrastructure and living standards in five years.

Meanwhile, he asked developed areas, big cities and companies to provide smaller ethnic groups with financial assistance.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2005)