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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick out the new chief. Lee solely wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly 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 area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one nation, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

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

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency will probably be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anybody, who based on the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a notice 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 career police officer who performed a number one function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security moderately than preserving its position as a dynamic global hub," they said.

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

In keeping with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try and blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, but started 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 aware of the must be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he will show the international group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we've got challenges now because of the necessity to control Covid-19 and some of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I am very acutely aware of the should 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."

He mentioned he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the circumstances that might be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on citizens to comply with the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek to boost its vaccination price. 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 honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press release. "The present-term government and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the assist wanted for the assumption of office by the new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to mirror that John Lee gained 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief govt election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that figure.