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 prime publish, 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 subsequent chief govt.

Lee, the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick the new chief. Lee solely needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was previously Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year time period on July 1, replacing outgoing Chief Government 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 previous colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has limited election rights and a mostly separate authorized and financial system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by way of a serious overhaul final year after Beijing said that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to govern town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his performance can be "challenged by the shortage 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."

"Anyone, who in accordance with the regulation is qualified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of support, of course, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by plenty of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a leading role in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top priority for Hong Kong is maintaining political security slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise middle to playing a narrower function 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 significant shock."

In line 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 try to blunt its spread. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid instances within the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I'm very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

At the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a very clear level that I'm very conscious of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

He stated he will be speaking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for regular journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally known as on citizens to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek to spice up its vaccination charge. In keeping with authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants 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 executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I will ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all of the assist needed for the assumption of office by the new time period of government."

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