State Councilor Zhou Yongkang has urged local officials to work hard to resolve various social contradictions in an effort to build a harmonious society.

Zhou, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in north China's Inner Mongolia Region from October 2 to 5.

China is in a special historical period of social transition, and various social contradictions and issues have thus come forth, Zhou said.

He pointed out that the fundamental way to resolve the social issues and ensure a stable society is to implement the scientific concept of development and push an all-round, coordinated development of economy and society.

He told the local officials to make efforts to cement ties with the great masses of the people in a bid to dissolve the inharmonious factors. He also asked them to further enhance unity among different ethnic groups.

Zhou urged the local government to well handle with issues concerning the interests of the people to improve the living standards, such as education, medical care, employment, social security, poverty alleviation, environmental protection and safety production.

(Xinhua News Agency October 6, 2005)