Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Government shall be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, received 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 wanted a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one country, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate legal and financial system.

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

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will probably be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some individuals."

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

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

Declaring that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of help, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety relatively than preserving its role as a dynamic world hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business center to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted 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 and blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will present the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a very clear point that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he might be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that might be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally called on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the town will search to boost its vaccination charge. In accordance 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 acquired their second dose.

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

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The present-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the help needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new time period of government."

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