Former Chinese premier Wen Jiabao resurfaces in the classroom

China’s former premier Wen Jiabao has resurfaced from retirement to teach secondary school pupils in rural Shanxi province.

Dubbed “grandpa Wen” by state media, the former official visited four schools in Luliang over four days last week, giving geography lessons and playing chess with pupils, according to a statement on the local government’s WeChat account.

In official photos, Wen, now 74, sported a dark jacket and grey sneakers.

The high-profile school visits follow similar trips Wen has taken since his retirement in March 2013. He previously gave lectures and played basketball and jump rope with pupils.

Wen, a graduate from the Beijing Institute of Geology, conducted geological work in Gansu province. His career took off after he became vice-minister of geology and mineral resources in Gansu, before rising to the Central Committee and Politburo.