China’s Vice President Xi Jinping has been appointed to vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, which is a key organization of the Communist Party of China.

Xi was appointed to the top post at the annual meeting of the ruling party's Central Committee that ended Monday.

Xi’s appointment implies that he is set to become China’s next ruler given that President Hu Jintao was appointed to the same post before he became president.

Born the youngest son of former Vice Premier Xi Zhongxun, Xi Jinping emerged as a fifth-generation Chinese leader when he was appointed a member of the Politburo Standing Committee at the 17th Party Congress in October 2007.

Hu Jintao is scheduled to retire as party secretary in 2012. Xi is likely to assume the presidency the following year.