Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Government can be Beijing loyalist John Lee

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, received 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 new leader. Lee only wanted a simple majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will start his five-year time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed beneath the "one nation, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a significant overhaul final yr after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance shall be "challenged by the lack 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 in keeping with the regulation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Pointing out that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of assist, after all, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my course 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 govt.

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who played a leading position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety rather than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and enterprise heart to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the dangers to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to respond to a major shock."

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

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

I make it a very clear level that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition 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 additionally requested how he'll show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, now we have challenges now because of the need to control Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

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

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

Lee additionally called on residents to follow the recommendation and measures of the government, and said town will search to spice up its vaccination charge. In accordance with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population 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 executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she stated in a press release. "The present-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the assist needed for the idea of workplace by the new time period of presidency."

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