BEIJING - A senior Chinese military official on Thursday called on the military to redouble their efforts in contributing to the development of the country's disadvantaged western regions.

Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the military should prioritize improving people's livelihoods and addressing issues that affect their most immediate interests, while participating in the development of western regions.

Speaking in Beijing at a meeting on bolstering the army's role in developing China's west, Xu ordered the military to make utmost efforts to maintain border security, enhance solidarity between the military, local governments and the public, as well as to uphold ethnic solidarity.

The prosperity, development and stability of western regions are of strategic importance to national security and development, Xu said, urging the military to be fully aware that helping develop the west boosts the military's capacity to carry out diversified tasks.

In January 2000, the government adopted a strategy to help underdeveloped western regions catch up with China's more prosperous east.