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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, 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 subsequent chief government.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, gained 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, replacing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled below the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency can 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 legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

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

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of support, after all, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a note final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong chief.

"The selection of Lee, a career 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 moderately than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business middle to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to answer a significant shock."

In line 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 spread. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear point that I am very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he'll present the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have now challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and a number of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He said he will be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the conditions that will likely be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek to boost its vaccination fee. According to government 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 successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the support needed for the belief of office by the brand new time period of government."

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