Wang Qishan became Beijing mayor yesterday, 10 months after he temporarily took the position in an acting capacity amid the Sars crisis.
At the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, the uncontested Mr Wang won 742 of the 752 votes cast.
Speaking after the ballot, Mr Wang, 56, a native of Shanxi, promised to run a clean government and prepare the capital for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Mr Wang said last year's Sars crisis had taught the Beijing government to work with the media and he would continue to strive for greater transparency.
The mayor cited demolition, traffic congestion, improving the welfare of farmers and the need to position Beijing as a financial services centre as pressing issues to address.
The urbanisation and massive construction projects for the Olympics is rapidly changing the face of Beijing, which is leading to widespread grievances over the demolition of old houses.