China parliament formally elects Xi Jinping president
China's parliament formally elected heir-in-waiting Xi Jinping as the country's new president on Thursday, succeeding Hu Jintao, putting the final seal of approval on a generational transition of power.
The largely rubber stamp National People's Congress chose Xi in a tightly scripted ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi was appointed party and military chief - where real power lies - in November. (Reuters)
