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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only 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 select the brand new chief. 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, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul last 12 months after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will likely be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some individuals."

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

"Anybody, who in response to the law is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The choice of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political security relatively 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 business center to playing 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 geared up to respond 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 spread. The town 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 circumstances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I'm very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he'll present the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we've challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and a number of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he can be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the conditions that will probably be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and said town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. In accordance with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired 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 prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the support wanted for the idea of workplace by the brand new term of government."

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