Chinese Premier awarded second term

Premier Wen Jiabao was appointed to a second five-year term as China’s top economic official today, leading efforts to cool soaring inflation and showcase the country to the world at the Beijing Olympics.

Mr Wen’s reappointment was the top news in state media but was overshadowed internationally by the crackdown on protests in Tibet against Chinese rule.

Mr Wen was named by China’s ceremonial legislature as it approved a slate of top officials picked by the ruling Communist Party.

Mr Wen is the party’s number three leader, after President Hu Jintao, himself awarded a new term this week, and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the legislature.