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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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 submit, 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 new leader. Lee only wanted a simple 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 Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's governed under the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a serious overhaul last yr after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance shall be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of help, after all, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The choice of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political security somewhat than preserving its position as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business middle to enjoying a narrower function 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 major 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 unfold. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I am very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press convention, Lee was also requested how he will present the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he might be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that will be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the government, and said the town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. In line with government statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired 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 lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We are going to render all the assist wanted for the idea of workplace by the brand 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 government election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that figure.