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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's top post, 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 next chief govt.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high post, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year time period on July 1, replacing 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.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled beneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a serious overhaul final 12 months after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance will be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

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

Declaring that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of support, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the strong 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 next chief government.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a be aware final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice of Lee as the following Hong Kong leader.

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

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

Consistent 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 spread. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, however started easing barely in late April.

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

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he'll show the worldwide group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have challenges now due to the need to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally called on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated town will search to boost its vaccination charge. In line with government statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received 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 profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all the support needed for the assumption of office by the new time period of presidency."

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