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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's high 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 subsequent chief government.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, 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 new chief. Lee only needed a simple majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled beneath the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a serious overhaul last yr after Beijing mentioned that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the city.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency can be "challenged by the shortage 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 response to the law is certified, can participate and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of assist, in fact, it encourages me and provides me the strong confidence that my route is agreed and shared by a number of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

"The collection of Lee, a career police officer who played a number one position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high priority for Hong Kong is sustaining political security relatively than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they mentioned.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and enterprise center to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly outfitted to reply to a serious shock."

In step with 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid instances in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

On the press conference, Lee was also requested how he'll show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

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

He mentioned he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to find out what are the situations that might be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the government, and stated town will seek to spice up its vaccination rate. In line with government statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have received their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received their second dose.

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

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We'll render all the help needed for the idea of workplace by the brand new time period of government."

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