Li Qiang named as China’s next premier after nomination from Xi Jinping

Newly elected premier Li Qiang (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

China has named Li Qiang, a close confidant of President Xi Jinping, as the country’s next premier nominally in charge of the world’s second largest economy.

Mr Li was nominated by Mr Xi and appointed to the position with no dissenting voices at Saturday morning’s session of the National People’s Congress, China’s ceremonial parliament.