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

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 high-level development amid a number of challenges, such as the coronavirus pandemic and an economic slowdown.

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."

Li began his political career when he joined the Communist Youth League of China.

Former President Hu Jintao, who was also from the Youth League, was said to have thought highly of Li and trusted him.

Li was elected in 2007 as a member of the party's Politburo Standing Committee together with the current president, Xi Jinping.

They both achieved unprecedented rapid promotion.

Li was once seen as a rival to Xi to succeed Hu, but Xi ascended to the helm during the party's Congress in 2012 and Li assumed the number two position.

In the ensuing years, Xi fortified his powerbase, removing opposing factions and movements that could criticize his policies, under the banner of anti-corruption.

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