BEIJING, Aug. 18 -- Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Tuesday called for more efforts to boost ethnic minority education.

Yu, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at a meeting on ethnic work.

Yu said that the central government had put great emphasis on education in ethnic regions and although reporting rapid progress, education in ethnic regions is still challenged by some difficulties.

Yu stressed that education on patriotism, ethnic unity and"socialist core values" would ensure the continuation of traditional Chinese culture.

Yu called on local governments in ethnic minority areas to improve methods to push forward educational reform and development.

"Attention must be paid to compulsory, bilingual and vocational education in ethnic regions, and talented professionals from all ethnic minority groups should be encouraged to champion regional development," said Yu.

During the meeting, Vice Premier Liu Yandong called for improved communication among all ethnic groups and better training for teachers.

She also said more must be done to promote the construction of boarding schools and improve education for inland ethnic students, while underscoring the need for favorable policies that would benefit more students.