Wen Jiabao got almost total backing

His election - with a vote of 99.3% in favour - came as no surprise and completes the country's leadership changes, steered through by outgoing leader Jiang Zemin.

On Saturday, Hu Jintao - who was appointed to the leadership of the Communist Party last November - was elected president.

Correspondents say Mr Jiang will retain much of his influence by keeping his key post as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), which runs the army.

Mr Hu, as well as becoming president, will remain deputy chairman of the CMC.

In other changes approved at the NPC session, the deputy leader of the Chinese Communist party, Wu Bangguo, was appointed chairman of parliament.

Zeng Qinghong, another Jiang Zemin loyalist, was elected vice-president.

Moving slowly

As the result of the vote was announced, a grinning Mr Wen stood and shook hands with his predecessor, as the delegates in the Great Hall of the People applauded his election.

Wen Jiabao, 60, replaces Zhu Rongji, who had lead China through a series of capitalist reforms.

Profile of Wen Jiabao

However, Mr Zhu had been unable to prevent a growing gap between rich and poor, and attendant social problems.

The BBC's Francis Markus says Mr Zhu - who has been easily China's most charismatic politician - will be a hard act to follow.

Correspondents say Mr Wen will have to work hard to boost economic growth, but add that there is little expectation of new policies being introduced in a hurry.

On Monday, he will announce his ministers.