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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's top put up, gained 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 brand new leader. Lee only wanted a easy 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, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is ruled underneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul final year after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to manipulate the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will be "challenged by the shortage of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some individuals."

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

"Anybody, who based on the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of assist, after all, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my route is agreed and shared by lots of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security somewhat than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise center to playing a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a significant 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 circumstances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

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

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

"I make it a really clear point that I am very acutely aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he might be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the circumstances that will probably 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 said the town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. In response to 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 acquired their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The current-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the assist needed for the belief of office by the brand new time period of presidency."

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