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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's top 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 govt.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select 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 begin his five-year time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one country, two methods" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate authorized and economic system.

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency will be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some folks."

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

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

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of help, after all, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a observe final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the next Hong Kong chief.

"The collection of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety somewhat than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to respond to a significant shock."

Consistent 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 and blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but began easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I am very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he'll show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we have now challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

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

Lee additionally known as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the government, and stated the town will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In response to authorities 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 obtained their second dose.

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

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

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 version of the story misrepresented that determine.