Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Govt will probably 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 subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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 publish, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick the brand new leader. Lee solely needed 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 particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled under the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul final 12 months after Beijing stated that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern the town.

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

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

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of support, of course, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

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

In line 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 and blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing slightly 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 level that I am very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, now we have challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are indeed 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 likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He said he might be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the town will search to boost its vaccination charge. Based on authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population 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 lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all the assist needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new time period of presidency."

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