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

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

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 select the brand new leader. Lee only needed a simple 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 special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled under the "one country, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a major overhaul final year after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to govern the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance might 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 laws of Hong Kong."

"Anyone, who in response to the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

In a note final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the next Hong Kong chief.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political security somewhat than preserving its position as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise center to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to reply to a major shock."

In line with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique 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 circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a result of a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll present the worldwide neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

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

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

Lee additionally called on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek to boost its vaccination rate. Based on 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 successful election," she said in a press release. "The current-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all the help wanted for the idea of workplace by the brand new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date 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.