- HANOI, Vietnam: Vietnam’s lawmaking National Assembly has appointed Truong Tan Sang as the communist country’s new president.
- The announcement comes amid challenges at home with the economy and abroad with China over disputed territory in the South China Sea.
Sang, 62, received more than 97 percent of the vote as the sole candidate. He had most recently served as the Communist Party’s de facto No. 2 in charge of running day-to-day affairs.
Monday’s announcement was largely ceremonial since the position was already decided during the secretive Party Congress in January.
Sang nominated current Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung for a second term, expected to be announced Tuesday.