video transcript

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION) Delegates from all over the country cast their votes at the largely rubber stamp National People's Congress to officially appoint Xi Jinping as China's new president on Thursday (March 14) . More than 2,900 delegates also voted to choose the vice president and top legislator of the country in a tightly scripted ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. Xi, 59, was appointed party and military chief -- where real power lies -- in November. There would be virtually no opposition among the carefully selected legislators to Xi becoming president. Vice Premier Li Keqiang is set to succeed Premier Wen Jiabao in a similarly scripted vote on Friday (March 15).