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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime post, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

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

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year term on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Executive 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 previous colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate authorized and financial system.

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will likely be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some people."

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

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

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, after all, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

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

According to China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

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

"Yes, we have now challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and a few of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He stated he might be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the conditions that shall be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the government, and stated the city will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In keeping with government statistics, more than 91% of the population 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 executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all the help needed for the assumption of office by the new term of government."

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