Stability in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is improving, the region's Communist Party of China (CPC) chief said Thursday.

Zhang Chunxian, who is attending an annual session of the country's top legislature in Beijing, told reporters, "Although the situation remains tough, overall stability in Xinjiang is improving and under control."

Zhang said Xinjiang should contain, resist and prevent separatism, extremism and terrorism step by step in a historical way.

Zhang said the so-called "three evil forces" are closely linked with international movements such as the Jasmine Revolutions that swept some Arab countries.

Xinhua