Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with a staff member during his visit to BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, Jan 4, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

Xi made an inspection tour in Chongqing from Monday to Wednesday. It is his first visit to this southwest municipality since he took office as China’s top leader in 2012.

Many experts said that this tour is a confidence boost for Chongqing, which has been clouded by the corruption scandal of its former Party Chief Bo Xilai, now serving a life sentence.

It is also seen as recognition for its economic and social achievements in recent years. In the first three quarters of last year, Chongqing's GDP growth rate led the country at 11 percent. It is expected that it will maintain the 11 percent growth rate in 2015 while the country’s average is about 7 percent.