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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to pick the brand new leader. Lee only wanted a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed underneath the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a significant overhaul final year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency can be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

"Anybody, who based on the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my route is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a note final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong leader.

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety rather than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business middle to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

According to 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. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed because of a surge in Covid cases within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear point that I'm very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he'll present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we now have challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He stated he shall be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that will likely be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the government, and stated the town will seek to spice up its vaccination fee. Based on authorities statistics, greater 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

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

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