BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- A top Chinese political advisor has called for ethnic solidarity and religious harmony during his visit to northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from Monday to Wednesday.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, went to Guyuan City and Yinchuan City in Ningxia, home to many Chinese Muslims and people from the Hui ethnic minority group.

During his visit to a mosque in Yongning County, Yinchuan City, Yu said that the government should educate and guide believers to conduct their religious activities in accordance with the law and build harmonious relations.

Yu also visited rural areas, communities, schools and businesses, where he met families and students of both Han and Hui.

Yu encouraged Han and Hui people to help each other to boost ethnic harmony and accelerate economic and social development in the ethnic minority region.

He encouraged educational institutions where minority students study to provide better guidance on ethnic solidarity so that they can make better contributions to national unity.

Yu presided over a symposium on ethnic and religious work during the visit.