China's parliament elected Li Qiang, a close ally of leader Xi Jinping and ranked No. 2 in the ruling Communist Party's apex of power, as premier on Saturday, replacing Li Keqiang.Li Qiang, 63, will head the State Council, China's Cabinet, and his main task will be overseeing the economy, although the role of premier has been waning as Xi has concentrated power in his own hands over the years.The elevation of Li Qiang, a former Shanghai party boss, came a day after the National People's Congress unanimously re-elected party general secretary Xi to a norm-breaking third five-year term as the…READ FULL ARTICLE
