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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, 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 subsequent chief govt.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, gained 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 solely needed 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 area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed underneath the "one nation, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul last year after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the town.

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

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

"Anybody, who in line with the legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of help, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a be aware last 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 began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security fairly than preserving its position as a dynamic world hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and business middle to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to answer 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 city tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, but started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we have now challenges now because of the necessity 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 acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He mentioned he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the conditions that will probably be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also referred to as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to boost its vaccination price. Based on authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained 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 sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all of the help needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new time period of government."

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