Vice-President Xi Jinping wrapped up a three-day visit to the southwestern municipality of Chongqing yesterday.
Besides visiting businesses in the Liangjiang New Area development zone, Xi also attended a performance of revolutionary songs and a triad crackdown exhibition, endorsing two major campaigns launched by Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai. China Central Television reported last night: 'During his visit, Xi Jinping commented positively on Chongqing's initiatives of singing Red songs, reading classical books, telling revolutionary stories and circulating mottos.'
Xi also praised Chongqing's achievements in cracking down on local triads and corrupt officials, CCTV reported.
Xi's high-profile inspection of Chongqing was a rare show of open support from the state leadership for Bo after controversial campaigns which have also included advocating that 750,000 Chongqing university students spend at least four months of their four-year studies with workers, farmers and soldiers for 'social experience'.
Xi is the person widely seen as the successor to Hu Jintao as party general secretary in two years.
Many also believe Bo, a member of the Politburo, is in the running for elevation to the more powerful Politburo Standing Committee at the same time.