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

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

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, gained 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 chief. Lee only wanted a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, replacing 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 governed underneath the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a major overhaul final yr after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to control the town.

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

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

"Anyone, who in response to the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and gives me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to answer a significant shock."

According to 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 try and blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further 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 level that I'm very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he will show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we've challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point 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 journey with the mainland."

He said he will be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will seek to boost its vaccination price. In line with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have acquired 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 lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist needed for the idea of office by the brand new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that John Lee received 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief govt election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that determine.