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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

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

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously 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 particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's governed below the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a largely separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul final year after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to govern the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will probably be "challenged by the dearth 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 line with the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a variety of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety rather than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and business heart to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to respond to a significant 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. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a result of a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I am very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press conference, Lee was also requested how he will present the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He said he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that will be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek to spice up its vaccination fee. In accordance with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We'll render all the assist needed for the idea of office by the new term of presidency."

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