Chinese President Hu Jintao on Saturday called for stepped-up efforts to fast track Tibet's development and maintain long-term stability in the autonomous region.

Joining a panel discussion with deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) from Tibet, Hu said the fifth meeting on the work of Tibet held in Beijing earlier this year had pointed out the way for the region's development, and called for resolute efforts to implement the policies made at the meeting.

The region should stick to a development road with Chinese characteristics and suited to Tibet's regional conditions, and make resolute efforts to achieve "leapfrog development and lasting stability," Hu said.

Economic and social development should be coordinated with the improvement of people's livelihoods, Hu said.