Li Qiang, one of Chinese President Xi Jinping's most trusted allies, is confirmed as premier, as Xi asserts his influence on the country's top leadership. Li, the former Shanghai party chief who oversaw the city's gruelling two-month lockdown last spring, is named the successor of outgoing premier Li Keqiang at a meeting of the country's rubber-stamp parliament. IMAGES ++ COMPLETES WITH VIDI_33AY4TL ++