BEIJING, March 14- Xi Jinping was elected as China’s president by the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China Thursday, officially taking over the reigns from former President Hu Jintao. Xi was also voted as chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China by the Chinese top legislature, completing the once-in-a-decade transition of power.
Xi was named as the general secretary of the CPC (Communist Party of China) Central Committee and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the 18th CPC National Congress on Nov 8, last year. Meanwhile, Li Yuanchao was elected vice-president of China. The 63-year-old vice-president is a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC.
Zhang Dejiang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC, was voted as chairman of the 12th NPC Standing Committee. The Chinese top legislature will vote for the incoming premier, Li Keqiang to succeed the outgoing Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday.
The reshuffle of a once-in-a-decade leadership will be completed at the first annual session of the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC), which is scheduled start from March 3 to 17.
BERNAMA
