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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, 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 brand new leader. Lee only 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 Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Ok. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed beneath the "one country, two methods" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

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

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his performance can be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy in 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 accordance with the law is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of support, of course, it encourages me and gives 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 town's next chief government.

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The choice of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading position within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security rather than preserving its role as a dynamic world hub," they mentioned.

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

In keeping with China's Covid-19 policy, 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 started easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press conference, Lee was additionally asked how he will present the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, now we have challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular travel with the mainland."

He said he shall be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the conditions that will likely be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and said town will seek to boost its vaccination fee. In response to government statistics, more than 91% of the population 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We'll render all of the support needed for the belief of office by the new term of presidency."

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 figure.