Vice President Xi Jinping and members of the central government delegation visited southeastern Tibet's Nyingchi area on Thursday and were warmly welcomed by over 600 local people at the airport.

Xi and the delegation members met with the leading members of the area's government as well as representatives of the retired officials and local residents.

He asked the local officials to continue their efforts in advancing the area's development and maintaining long-term social stability.

He also called for more efforts to promote the tourism industry and protect the area's environment.

Xi also extended his greetings to the officers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the People's Armed Police Force and the police forces in Nyingchi, expressing his appreciation for their contributions to the social progress, ethnic unity and the improvement of local people's lives in the area.