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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick out the new chief. Lee solely wanted a easy 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 Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special 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 below the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul final yr after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency can be "challenged by the dearth 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 law is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of help, after all, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety rather than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise heart to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to reply to a significant shock."

According to China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a consequence of a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I am very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

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

"Sure, we have now 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 conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek 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 acquired their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the support wanted for the assumption 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 version of the story misrepresented that determine.