Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao visited officers and soldiers of the military stationed in the Tibet Autonomous Region Thursday afternoon.

    Hu first sent president Jiang Zemin's regards to them and said that military personnel in Tibet contribute a lot to the stability and prosperity of the region and their devotion and sacrifice deserve respect from the people.

    Hu said that it is necessary for the soldiers and officers to learn about president Jiang's important speech delivered on July 1 and Jiang's well-known instructions of the "Three Represents".

    Hu then presented the army a silk banner with congratulatory characters written by president Jiang for the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

    Hu had his picture taken with the officers and soldiers.

    Hu also visited representatives from the armed police and the law enforcement of the region.

    Other officials with the delegation led by Hu such as Pagbalha Geleg Namgyai, Wang Zhongyu, Wang Zhaoguo and Xu Caihou participated in the visit.