Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Executive will likely 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 govt.

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, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick out the brand new leader. Lee only 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, changing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled underneath the "one nation, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a major overhaul final year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will probably 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."

"Anyone, who according to the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of assist, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my route is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security relatively than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and enterprise center to taking part in a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a major shock."

According to 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 unfold. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

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

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he will show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, we've got challenges now because of the need 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 acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on residents to comply with the advice and measures of the government, and said the city will seek to spice up its vaccination rate. In response to government statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants 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 executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the assist needed for the idea of workplace by the new term of presidency."

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