Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Govt can 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 govt.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, gained 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 only needed 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.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It is governed underneath the "one country, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul last 12 months after Beijing said that only so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to control town.

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

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

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

Declaring that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of support, of course, it encourages me and gives me the robust confidence that my course is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

In a word last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the subsequent Hong Kong leader.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who played a leading position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety slightly than preserving its function as a dynamic global hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business 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 may be poorly geared up to answer a major shock."

In line with China's Covid-19 policy, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" technique for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an attempt to blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, but began easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed on account of a surge in Covid circumstances in the Asian financial hub.

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

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press convention, Lee was also requested how he will present the international neighborhood that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I am very conscious of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally called on residents to follow the advice and measures of the government, and stated town will seek to boost its vaccination price. 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 obtained their second dose.

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

"I prolong my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she stated in a press launch. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We are going to render all of the assist needed for the idea of workplace by the brand new term of government."

Correction: This story has been up to date to reflect that John Lee received 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief govt election. An earlier version of the story misrepresented that determine.