The man nominated as China's next premier by President Xi Jinping, was endorsed as Chinese premier Saturday morning at the ongoing first session of the 14th National People's Congress, the country's national legislature.

Li Qiang, the former Communist Party leader of the country's biggest city of Shanghai, will now lead the government, replacing retiring Li Keqiang.

President Xi signed a presidential order to appoint Li Qiang as premier Saturday at the ongoing session of China's national legislature.

The 63-year-old received majority votes from more than 2,900 delegates at the National People's Congress. His appointment comes after Xi secured a historic third term as president on Friday.

Li - who is now the second-highest ranking official in China's political system - took an oath, swearing to be loyal to China's constitution and to "work hard to build a prosperous, strong, democratic, civilised, harmonious and great modern socialist country."

New ministerial appointments are expected to be announced on Sunday.