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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to pick out the brand new leader. 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, replacing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled underneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

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

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will be "challenged by the dearth 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 based on the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of support, after all, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a note 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 career police officer who performed a number one position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety reasonably than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business center to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a significant 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 to blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a really clear point that I'm very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he'll present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have now 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 really clear point that I'm very conscious of the must be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He said he can be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that might be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the city will search to spice up its vaccination price. In line with government statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press release. "The current-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all the help needed for the idea of office by the new term of government."

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