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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the brand new chief. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled beneath the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a major overhaul final year after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance can be "challenged by the shortage 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."

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

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my path is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

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 leader.

"The collection 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 prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety somewhat than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and enterprise center to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to reply to a serious shock."

In keeping with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try and blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I am very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we now have challenges now due to the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He stated he can be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that will be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on citizens to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In keeping with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received 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 profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all of the help needed for the belief of office by the new term of presidency."

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 version of the story misrepresented that figure.