Chinese vice-president strengthens his position

Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping has been appointed as the vice chair of the country's Central Military Commission. Current President Hu Jintao, who is also head of the Central Military Commision, will end his presidential term in 2013, and he must leave his post as head of the party a year before that. Appointment to the commission is seen as a necessary precursor to ruling the country. Read more: BBC News