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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the one 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 solid their votes to select the new leader. Lee only needed a simple 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, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled underneath the "one country, two methods" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a major overhaul final 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" should 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 in the eyes of some folks."

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

"Anyone, who in keeping with the legislation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of help, of course, it encourages me and gives me the strong 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 town's next chief executive.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

"The collection of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political security quite than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and enterprise middle to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "While the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly outfitted to reply to a major shock."

According to 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 to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed because of a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

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

"Yes, we've challenges now because of the necessity to management Covid-19 and among the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He stated he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the circumstances that might be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated the town will search to boost its vaccination rate. According to authorities statistics, more 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

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

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