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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who is the only candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, gained 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 solely needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year term on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is ruled below the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went through a major overhaul final 12 months after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to manipulate the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency can 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 legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

"Anyone, who in line with the legislation is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of assist, after all, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who played a number one role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, indicates that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security quite than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business heart to taking part in a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly equipped to answer a major shock."

According to 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. Town tightened restrictions additional in February as new instances raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

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

I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital factor 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 additionally asked how he'll show the international group that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is an important factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He said he will probably be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the situations that will probably 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 stated the city will search to boost its vaccination rate. According to authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have acquired their second dose.

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

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she said in a press release. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We will render all the support wanted for the idea of office by the brand new term of presidency."

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