Social justice based on the rule of law for the settlement of social conflicts is the fundamental guarantee for national security and social stability. This is what Party General Secretary Xi Jinping said at a study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Friday.

When talking about the fight against terrorism, which poses one of the major threats to national security and social stability, Xi said an environment must be created so that terrorists are as unpopular "as rats crossing the street that are chased by all".

Just as Xi said in his speech, terrorist activities challenge the very bottom line of human civilization. Ethnicity and religion are nothing but the pretexts that terrorists use to justify their criminal activities and cover up their ulterior motives. They are also the way in which innocent people are brainwashed into believing that the heinous acts of terrorism that claim innocent lives can be condoned because they are for a "sacred cause".

So it is of the utmost importance for the governments of localities such as the Xinjiang Uygur or Tibet autonomous regions to do a good job in upholding social fairness and justice, which will make it possible for residents of all ethnicities to have their voices heard and get their concerns addressed.

Many areas with large ethnic populations are still underdeveloped, which has provided terrorists with a ready sentiment with which to ferment discord between different ethnic groups or stir up trouble by inciting anti-government unrest.

In such circumstances, it is particularly important for a local government to pay attention to the well-being of all local residents.

If a government is effective and efficient in addressing the problems residents are concerned with, trust will be developed between the residents and government. With such trust, however impoverished residents are, they will be able to have hope of realizing a change for the better in the near future.

Of course, a local government should be clean and also try to develop the local economy and improve people's living standards.

From what Xi said, it is not difficult to conclude that local governments, their leaders in particular, doing a good job in developing local economies and promoting social harmony is essential to national security and social stability.

(China Daily 04/28/2014 page10)