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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high post, won 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 solely 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, changing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled below the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a significant overhaul final year after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his performance will likely be "challenged by the shortage 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 regulation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The choice of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety moderately than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business middle to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to respond to a significant shock."

In step 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 try and blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed because of a surge in Covid cases in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was also requested how he will show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he shall be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the conditions that will likely be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and said town will search to boost its vaccination charge. In line with government 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 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 profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all of the help wanted for the idea of workplace by the new time period of government."

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