Li was nominated by newly elected President Xi Jinping

 

　　Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Li Keqiang at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2013. Li Keqiang was endorsed as the premier of China's State Council at the meeting here on Friday. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Tao]

 

　　His endorsement has attracted a positive response from both the country's top lawmakers as well as its citizens.

 

　　"I am really satisfied. He listens to ordinary people's voices. We also have hopes that he will build a wonderful China."

 

　　"He is a very clear and bright person, with abundant and complete experience in government. We have a lot of expectations of him."

 

　　Li Keqiang is the seventh premier since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.

 

　　The 58-year-old replaces Wen Jiabao, who headed the State Council since 2003.

 

　　He's scheduled to meet the press for the first time as Premier, on Sunday morning.

 

　　Now before he meets the press, here's what the residents in Beijing had to say about the new Premier.

 

　　"I hope China's new leadership, including the president and the premier, govern our country well after they take office. Ordinary people can have a wealthier life and afford to buy an apartment and make much more progress every day."

 

　　"I think China now is facing a tough situation domestically and internationally. For domestic, we are still facing many problems such as property, medical, pension and economic transition. As for overseas affairs, we have the Diaoyu Island dispute, North Korea issue and pressure from the U.S. that all need to be resolved soon. If new leadership could solve all these problems, I think China will be further developed."

 

　　Also at Friday's NPC session, Fan Changlong and Xu Qiliang have been endorsed as vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission.

 

　　Delegates have also appointed the other eight members of the Commission.

 

　　Zhou Qiang has become president of the Supreme People's Court while Cao Jianming has been re-elected pro-curator-general.