Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Executive will probably be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to pick out the 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, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one country, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a major overhaul last year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the town.

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

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

"Anybody, who in keeping with the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of support, of course, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and enterprise heart to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to reply to a major 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press convention, Lee was also requested how he will show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we have challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are indeed 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 also it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He mentioned he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally called on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned town will search to boost its vaccination rate. In keeping with government statistics, more 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 extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I will ensure 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 term of government."

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