Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Govt might be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a significant overhaul final yr after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to control the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will probably be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some people."

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

"Anybody, who according to the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of assist, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my course is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

In a observe last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the next Hong Kong leader.

"The choice of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political security reasonably than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business center to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a significant shock."

Consistent with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an attempt to blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian financial hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press conference, Lee was also requested how he'll present the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we've challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that will likely be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the town will search to boost its vaccination price. In response to authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the help needed for the idea of office by the brand new term of government."

Correction: This story has been updated to replicate that John Lee gained 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief govt election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that figure.