BEIJING -- The top government official of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region said on Sunday the westernmost region has been "resolutely and forcefully" fighting terrorism to maintain stability.

Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, made the remarks at a panel discussion among lawmakers from Xinjiang at the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing.

His words came two days after Chinese President Xi Jinping said the "great wall of iron" should be fortified in Xinjiang to safeguard national unity, ethnic solidarity and social stability.

Xinjiang is an important "security barrier" in Northwest China which holds a special strategic position and faces special issues, Xi said.