Vietnam's Communist Party leader To Lam elected state president

Vietnam's National Assembly has elected To Lam, the country's top Communist Party leader, as the new state president. The vote was unanimous, consolidating his position as the most powerful politician in the country.

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Lam on his election. Several reports describe the move as giving Lam a broader, China-style mandate, strengthening his power within Vietnam's political system.