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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the one candidate for Hong Kong's top publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, won 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 new leader. Lee solely needed 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, replacing outgoing Chief Govt Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's governed below the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a major overhaul final yr after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency might be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some people."

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

"Anyone, who in keeping with the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of help, of course, it encourages me and provides me the sturdy confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by loads of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, indicates that Beijing's prime priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security quite than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and enterprise heart to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to reply to a major shock."

According to 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 unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new instances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a result of a surge in Covid cases within the Asian financial hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press convention, Lee was also asked how he'll present the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

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

He mentioned he will probably be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the conditions that might be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and said the city will seek to boost its vaccination rate. According to government statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have acquired their second dose.

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

"I extend my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The present-term government and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the support needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new term of presidency."

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