Delegates from China's central government presented a gift to Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region for the 50th anniversary of its founding.

At a ceremony held in the region's capital Yinchuan on Monday, senior official He Guoqiang delivered a Chinese Ding. That's a three-legged ancient cooking vessel, which represents solidification between Han and Hui nationalities.

The present has been signed by China's President Hu Jintao.

A delegation from the central government on Monday arrived in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China, where most residents are Muslims, to mark the anniversary.

He, head of the delegation and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, together with the region's Party chief Chen Jianguo unveiled the present at the square of Ningxia Museum.

Central government officials also attended a rewarding ceremony where model individuals and organizations, who had made great contributions to the peace and solidification of the region, were given honors.

Hui Liangyu, deputy head of the delegation, praised the achievements those honored and urged them to help more people lead a better live.

The autonomous region, covering about 66,000 square kilometers, was set up on October 25, 1958. It has a population of 6.1 million, of whom 2.17 million, or 35.57 percent, are of the Hui ethnic group.

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2008)