BEIJING: The Chinese parliament on Thursday formally elected Xi Jinping as the country’s new president, the move came four months after he took charge of the ruling Communist Party with pledges of reforms that raised hopes for the nation.
“Now I announce comrade Xi Jinping is selected as president of the People’s Republic of China,” said Liu Yunshan, a top official of the ruling party who chaired the electoral session at the National People’s Congress.
Li Yuanchao, a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo but not among its top seven-member Standing Committee and a figure seen as having reformist leanings, was selected as vice-president, Liu said.
China’s vice-presidency is a largely symbolic post, although it does carry a diplomatic role.
DND
