New leaders elected at NPC plenary meeting -- china.org.cn

China's top legislature has just elected the new state leaders for the next five years. Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, has been re-elected as the President of the People's Republic of China.

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, is reelected president of the country and chairman of the Central Military Commission of China during the fifth plenary meeting of the NPC session in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China,
is reelected president of the country and
chairman of the Central Military Commission
of China during the fifth plenary meeting
of the NPC session in Beijing, capital
of China, March 15, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

In Saturday's plenary meeting of the first annual session of the 11th National People's Congress, Hu Jintao was reelected as the State President, and the Chairman of the Central Military Committee of China.

Wu Bangguo is reelected chairman of the 11th
National People's Congress (NPC) Standing
Committee during the fifth plenary meeting of
the NPC session in Beijing, capital of China,
March 15, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th NPC, was also re-elected to chair the 11th NPC.

Outgoing Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong (R) shakes hands with his successor Xi Jinping after Xi was elected vice-president of China during the fifth plenary meeting of the NPC session in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Outgoing Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong (R) shakes
hands with his successor Xi Jinping after Xi was elected
vice-president of China during the fifth plenary meeting of
the NPC session in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2008.
(Xinhua Photo)

Xi Jinping, member of the Standing Committee of the Politbureau of the CPC Central Committee, was elected as the vice President of China.

The fifth plenary meeting of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The fifth plenary meeting of the First Session of the 11th
National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall
of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2008.
(Xinhua Photo)

Also elected in the meeting were 13 vice Chairpersons, and 161 members of the Standing Committee of the 11th NPC.

The Legislature adopted the State Council's government reshuffle plan which involves the establishment of the "super ministries" and a ministerial energy commission.

The deputies' votes and applause are not only in recognition of the new leaders, but it also recognizes that much is expected of them. Even though the country is getting stronger by the day, no one can deny that difficulties lie ahead. The Chinese have a saying: "the future is bright, but the road ahead has many twists and turns." What that means is that today's new leaders don't just have titles and power, they also take on more responsibilities for the nation.

(CCTV March 15, 2008)