Hong Kong’s next Chief Govt will probably be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one 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 cast their votes to pick out the new leader. Lee only needed a easy majority to win.

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

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

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul last year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will probably be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

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

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of help, of course, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a be aware last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the next Hong Kong leader.

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security fairly than preserving its role as a dynamic world hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and enterprise center to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to reply to a major shock."

In line 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 attempt to 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 as a result of a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he'll present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a very clear point that I am very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He said he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the circumstances that shall be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In response to 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the assist wanted for the assumption of office by the new term of government."

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