Hong Kong’s next Chief Govt can be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only 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 pick out the new leader. Lee only needed 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 region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled beneath the "one country, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate authorized and economic system.

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

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

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

"Anybody, who according to the regulation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of assist, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my path is agreed and shared by plenty of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The collection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety moderately than preserving its role as a dynamic global hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and business center to playing a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a serious shock."

In keeping 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. The 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 cases within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press conference, Lee was also asked how he will present the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have challenges now because of the necessity to control Covid-19 and a few 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 in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He stated he will likely 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 known as on citizens to comply with the advice and measures of the government, and stated the town will search to boost its vaccination price. In response to authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the population 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the assist wanted for the belief of office by the brand new term of presidency."

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