Hu gets new term as Chinese president

China’s National People’s Congress has re-elected President Hu Jintao to a second five-year term, as widely expected.

Mr Hu was also re-appointed as head of China’s military commission.

Xi Jinping was elected vice president, a move that puts him in line to be president in five years. Mr Xi is a top Communist Party leader and the son of a revolutionary. He has risen quicken through the party’s ranks in just six months.

China’s legislature also approved on Saturday a plan to reshuffle the Cabinet by establishing five “super ministries” and a ministerial-level energy commission.