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Back to school for Wen Jiabao: Ex-premier jumps rope and teaches class during visit

Former premier makes first public appearance since October, as he tells class at Hebei middle school about importance of geography

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The ex-premier relives his childhood, playing jump rope with the children. Photo: Liudaohe Middle School

Former premier Wen Jiabao mingled with pupils at a middle school in Chengde in Hebei province, delivered a talk on science and even joined in a round of rope skipping.

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The visit is the latest in a string of public appearances by retired former top officials, who traditionally shun the limelight after stepping down.

Wen stopped by the Liudaohe Middle School on Wednesday, honouring a promise he made on a previous visit in April to return and teach a class.

Wen, 71, appeared to be in good physical shape - at one point he skipped rope with pupils aged between 12 and 15.

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The visit came ahead of President Xi Jinping's appearance at a school that caters to ethnic minority pupils in Beijing.

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