China's new leadership takes shape amid high expectations

BEIJING, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China's new state leadership has taken shape with the president, top legislator, premier, cabinet ministers, senior military leaders and judicial leaders all installed.

On Saturday afternoon, lawmakers endorsed the new lineup of the State Council, completing the election and appointment proceedings at the ongoing first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC).

On Thursday, lawmakers elected Xi Jinping as Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China, as well as Zhang Dejiang as chairman of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, the country's top legislator. On Friday, they endorsed Li Keqiang as the premier.

Lawmakers also elected heads of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the country's chief justice and procurator-general.

"I have witnessed a lawful, smooth and transparent transition of state leadership, which will lay a solid foundation for the country's development in the future," said Sun Xianzong, an NPC deputy and research fellow with the Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Sun said he was impressed by the political careers of President Xi and Premier Li.

"Over the past four months, they have shown an image of being pragmatic and innovative. They have brought new style and policies," he said.

The new leadership is to lead the world's most populous country and second largest economy through complex challenges at home and abroad.

NPC deputies voiced high expectations on the new state leadership.

Zhang Wencheng, an NPC deputy and village party chief from northeast China's Liaoning Province, said he hoped the new government could take measures to improve rural infrastructure and protect farm land.