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 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 prime put up, 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 brand new leader. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year term on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Executive 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 former colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a significant overhaul last 12 months after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency shall 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 legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that number of support, after all, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety moderately than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business heart to enjoying a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to answer a major 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 to blunt its spread. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid cases in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he'll show the international group that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have now challenges now because of the necessity to management Covid-19 and a number of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

He stated he shall be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that can be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned town will seek to spice up its vaccination charge. In accordance with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired 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 lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The current-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We will render all the help needed for the idea of office by the brand new time period of government."

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