Beijing ? Hu Jintao was chosen as expected today to replace Jiang Zemin as the president of a fast-changing China, the last major step in a sweeping transition to a younger generation of leaders that has been years in the making.

Jiang, 76, stayed on as leader of the government’s military commission — and is expected to wield significant influence from behind the scenes. Hu, 60, who was vice president, claimed the top post four months after ascending to the top of China’s ruling Communist Party, the most powerful position in the land.

In balloting more focused on spectacle than democracy, delegates voted by an overwhelming margin of 2,937 to 4 to elevate Hu in a move largely considered to be a rubber stamp for the party. Three delegates abstained. Each placed the ballot in a computerized box for counting; the identities of the four delegates who opposed Hu were not released.

Hu and Jiang shook hands as the outgoing leader grinned. The two exchanged a quiet comment as delegates applauded heartily.

It was the pinnacle of the first orderly transfer of power in communist China’s 54-year history.

Though the presidency has few official powers in China, Hu’s elevation to it — and the prestige it brings on the world stage — reinforces his status as the country’s new paramount leader. But no wholesale policy shifts appeared to be on the agenda, and the emphasis was on continuity.

“It doesn’t matter who holds the top leadership post,” said Zhang Yanling, a delegate from the northern province of Shanxi. “They will all wholeheartedly represent the people and work for their interest.”

China’s new leaders take charge of an increasingly capitalist — and restive — society of 1.3 billion people that is struggling to cope with its entry into the free-trading World Trade Organization.

Zeng Qinghong, Jiang’s former closest aide and chief political strategist, was named vice president. He was appointed with Hu in November to the party’s ruling Standing Committee.