Premier Li Keqiang makes high-profile visit to Chongqing

Premier Li Keqiang has visited Chongqing, the first top state leader to visit the city since the 18th party congress in November 2012.

Li began his trip on Sunday and focused on economics and people's livelihoods, steering clear of sensitive political topics.

He was accompanied by Zhang Gaoli, another standing member of the Politburo and several ministers with the central government, including Zhou Xiaochuan, the central bank governor, reported China Central Television.

There were no references made to the former party chief in Chongqing, Bo Xilai, in state media coverage of the trip.

The former Communist Party chief is still a divisive figure in Chongqing, with supporters saying his policies, including welfare programmes, helped the needy. Others who were the victims of Bo's political vendettas are seeking compensation from the city government.

Bo was jailed for life in September last year for corruption, bribery and abuse of power.

"Li might have come to Chongqing to help solve certain economic problems as the city still has many difficulties inherited from Bo's era," said Zhang Ming, a political scientist at Renmin University in Beijing.