Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Executive shall be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's top post, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief executive.

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the brand new chief. Lee solely wanted a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled under the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a significant overhaul last yr after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some folks."

His reply was that his election was "run in accordance with the legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

"Anyone, who in response to the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of help, after all, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by a variety of election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be town's subsequent chief govt.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a be aware last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the following Hong Kong chief.

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety quite than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business middle to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to respond to a significant shock."

In keeping with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid instances within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear level that I am very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he'll show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, now we have challenges now because of the necessity to management Covid-19 and some of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He stated he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that might be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally called on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In line with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist wanted for the idea of office by the brand new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to replicate that John Lee gained 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that determine.