China's transition completes

Beijing - China appointed four vice premiers and leaders of key ministries on Saturday, completing the ruling Communist Party's 10-yearly leadership transition.

The annual National People’s Congress, the party’s nominal state parliament, approved single-candidate nominations by Li Keqiang, who was endorsed as China’s new premier on Friday.

Wang Yi, 59, an expert on Japan, North Korea and Taiwan, is the new foreign minister.

Finance Minister Lou Jiwei, 62, was promoted after overseeing China’s sovereign wealth fund.

People’s Liberation Army General Chang Wanquan, 64, the new defence minister, commanded China’s successful manned space programme.

The 3,000-seat parliament also endorsed party leader Xi Jinping, 59, as China’s new president on Thursday.

Li is scheduled to give his first press conference as premier on Sunday following the close of the 13-day parliamentary session./DPA