BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo has called for promoting "leapfrog development" and "lasting stability" of northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region during his four-day visit of the far western area.

From Thursday to Sunday, Wu toured enterprises, farmland, communities, and met local families in the cities of Hotan, Kashgar, Changji, Shihezi and the regional capital Urumqi.

Efforts should be made to "learn the significance of the progress in Xinjiang" from a "strategic and overall view," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body.

"By utilizing nationwide support, Xinjiang's self-development ability should be strengthened and its resource advantages should be transferred into economic strength," said Wu, also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.