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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, 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 government.

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, won 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to pick out the brand new chief. 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, replacing 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 previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled beneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a serious overhaul last year after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" should be allowed to control the town.

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 individuals."

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

"Anybody, who according to the legislation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of assist, of course, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my course 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 executive.

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety reasonably than preserving its position as a dynamic world hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and enterprise heart to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to respond to a major shock."

In keeping with China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy 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, but 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 conscious of the must 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.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

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

"Yes, now we have challenges now because of the necessity to control Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the have to 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."

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

Lee also called on residents to comply with the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will search to spice up its vaccination fee. Based on authorities statistics, more than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have acquired their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We are going to render all the assist needed for the belief of workplace by the new time period of presidency."

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