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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high submit, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

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

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled under the "one country, two programs" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a major overhaul last 12 months after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will be "challenged by the dearth 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."

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

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a variety of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political security moderately than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business middle to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to respond to a major shock."

In line with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian financial hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he'll show the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition 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 search out out what are the circumstances that might be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on citizens to observe the advice and measures of the government, and mentioned the city will search to boost its vaccination rate. According to 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 received their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist wanted for the belief of office by the brand new time period of government."

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