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 next 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 only candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled underneath the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul final 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 asked if his efficiency will likely be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

"Anybody, who according to the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political security reasonably than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise heart to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to answer a major shock."

In line with 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 city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, but started 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 really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we've challenges now due to the necessity to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he will likely be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that might be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally called on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to spice up its vaccination fee. 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 received their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the help needed for the assumption of office by the new term of government."

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