Li Keqiang was endorsed as Chinese premier at the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, on March 15.

Nearly 3,000 NPC deputies voted to approve the nomination of Li, by newly-elected President Xi Jinping, as the candidate for premier.

Li, born in 1955, is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. He has been the seventh premier since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, replacing Wen Jiabao who had headed the State Council since 2003.

The first session of the 12th NPC holds the fifth plenary meeting to decide on the premier, vice chairpersons and members of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China. President of the Supreme People's Court and procurator general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate are also elected (XINHUA)

NPC deputies cast their ballots (XINHUA)

President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Li Keqiang (XINHUA)

Former Premier Wen Jiabao (right) shakes hands with Li Keqiang (XINHUA)