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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's prime publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief government.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high post, 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 brand new leader. Lee solely wanted 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, changing outgoing Chief Government 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 is ruled under 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 means of a major overhaul last yr after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the town.

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

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

"Anybody, who in response to the legislation is qualified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of help, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the robust confidence that my path is agreed and shared by plenty of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Images

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a global financial and enterprise heart to playing a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to reply to a serious 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 attempt to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed resulting from a surge in Covid cases in the Asian monetary hub.

I make it a really clear level that I'm very acutely aware of the must be accessible to the world. And also it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

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

"Yes, we've challenges now due to the necessity to control 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 have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland."

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

Lee additionally called on residents to observe the recommendation and measures of the government, and mentioned town will seek to boost its vaccination charge. In keeping with authorities 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 executive 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 government and I will guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all of the support wanted for the assumption of office by the brand new time period of presidency."

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