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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee solely 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 Govt Carrie Lam.

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

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

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency shall be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anyone, who according to the legislation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of support, after all, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my course is agreed and shared by plenty of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The choice of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political security quite than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide financial and enterprise center to enjoying a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to respond to a major shock."

According to 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 attempt to blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian monetary hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

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

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

"I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He stated he can be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and said the city will search to spice up its vaccination fee. Based on government statistics, more than 91% of the population 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 prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the help wanted for the idea of workplace by the brand new time period of presidency."

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