China's Xi to be named president, capping his rise

BEIJING (AP) — China's new leader Xi Jinping is capping his rise by adding the largely ceremonial title of president in an expected vote Thursday by the rubberstamp national legislature.

 

His elevation to the presidency will give him the last of the three titles held by his predecessor, Hu Jintao.

 

The move was expected after Xi was named head of the Communist Party and chairman of its military, positions of true power, last November in a once-a-decade handover to a new group of leaders that has been years in the making.

 

The National People's Congress gathered Thursday in Beijing's Great Hall of the People for the vote for president, vice president and additional key positions.