President Xi Jinping made the comment while interacting with Inner Mongolian deputies at the country’s annual legislative session.

Speaking on Saturday, Xi said unity was necessary to build the country, and that the northern autonomous region had a responsibility to maintain the stability of the country’s border, according to official news agency Xinhua as quoted by The South China Morning Post.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to capture the world’s attention, China’s leaders are looking inward during the National People’s Congress in Beijing, with a heavy focus on national unity and loyalty to the ruling Communist Party – and Xi, the newspaper said.