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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime 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 select 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 time period on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed under the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul last 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested 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 in line with the law is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of assist, after all, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my path is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a word last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong chief.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one function in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to reply to a serious 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 and blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, however started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid instances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is an important 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 convention, Lee was additionally asked how he will show the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Yes, we've got challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear level that I am very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the city will search to spice up its vaccination price. In accordance with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population 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 profitable election," she stated in a press launch. "The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all of the support needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new term of presidency."

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