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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, won 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 leader. Lee only wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled beneath the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a significant overhaul final 12 months after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to govern the city.

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

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

"Anyone, who in accordance with the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my route is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

In a note 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 profession police officer who played a leading role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security moderately 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 enterprise heart to enjoying a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to respond to a serious shock."

In step 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I am very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

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

"Yes, we now have challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and a number of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee also referred to as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated town will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In accordance with 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 acquired their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all the help needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new time period of presidency."

Correction: This story has been updated to mirror that John Lee won 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that determine.