Hong Kong’s next Chief Government might be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's high post, 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 next chief govt.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

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

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is governed under the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a major overhaul final year after Beijing stated that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to control town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency will likely 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 legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

"Anybody, who in keeping with the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of assist, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be the city's subsequent chief executive.

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security fairly than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business heart to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to answer a major 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 unfold. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, however started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the have to 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.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

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

"Sure, we now have challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

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

Lee additionally called on citizens to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the town will search to boost its vaccination fee. According to government 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 received their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the help wanted for the assumption of office by the new time period of presidency."

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