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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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 submit, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee cast their votes to select the new chief. Lee only wanted a easy 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, replacing 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.K. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's governed under the "one nation, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a significant overhaul last yr after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to manipulate the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency will probably be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

"Anybody, who in response to the regulation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

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

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

In a notice final week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's choice 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 started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety slightly than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global monetary and business center to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to answer a serious 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases 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'm very acutely aware of the should 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 govt

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

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

"I make it a very clear level that I am very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also called on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and said the city will search to spice up its vaccination price. In response to government statistics, greater than 91% of the population 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 extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she said in a press launch. "The present-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We will render all of the support wanted for the assumption of workplace by the new time period of presidency."

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