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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime put up, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief government.

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 prime post, gained 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to select the 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 time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative region 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 nation, two techniques" framework, and has restricted election rights and a largely separate legal and financial system.

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

At a press convention after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency will probably 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 laws of Hong Kong."

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of support, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the strong 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 next chief govt.

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a observe last 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 played a leading position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top 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 middle to enjoying a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts stated. "Whereas the risks to political and monetary stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to answer a major shock."

In step 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 attempt to blunt its spread. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, however began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed due to a surge in Covid circumstances within the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear point that I am very 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 journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press conference, Lee was also requested how he'll present the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have now challenges now because of 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 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 journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he can be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the circumstances that will probably be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also called on residents to observe the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and stated town will seek to boost its vaccination rate. In keeping with 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I prolong my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she mentioned in a press release. "The present-term government and I'll guarantee a seamless transition with the Chief Government-elect. We'll render all the assist wanted for the belief of office by the brand new time period of government."

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 version of the story misrepresented that determine.