China's state-run broadcaster says the country's former Premier Li Keqiang continued supporting the party leadership, centering on President Xi Jinping, even after he stepped down as premier.

China Central Television covered Li's death for about 10 minutes as one of its top news stories on Friday night.

The broadcaster described Li as an outstanding leader of the party and country. It also said that he built a new development structure and promoted China's high-quality development while the country underwent a number of challenges, such as the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdowns.

The coverage of Li came third in the news, following reports on President Xi and Premier Li Qiang.

Li, who had an economics doctorate, took charge of China's economic policy. His ideas were sometimes dubbed "Likonomics."

Also on Friday, an international broadcast of NHK was temporarily suspended for viewers in China during a report covering Li's death.

NHK's program was cut off when it was reporting that Li stepped down in March after his influence gradually declined while Chinese President Xi consolidated his power.

China's authorities are thought to be sensitive about foreign media highlighting a rivalry between the two leaders.