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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, 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 new leader. 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 term on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed beneath the "one country, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a significant overhaul last 12 months after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to govern the town.

At a press convention 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 individuals."

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

"Anyone, who in line with the legislation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my path is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The number of Lee, a career police officer who performed a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety moderately than preserving its role as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and enterprise heart to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

In step 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 try and blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed because of a surge in Covid instances within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear point that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was also requested how he'll show the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear level that I am 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 travel with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the city will seek to spice up its vaccination rate. In line with government statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained 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 stated in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the assist wanted for the idea of office by the new time period of presidency."

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