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

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent 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 only candidate for Hong Kong's high publish, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to pick the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a simple 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, changing outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former 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 a serious overhaul last year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" should be allowed to control the town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency might be "challenged by the dearth of electoral mandate and legitimacy in the eyes of some individuals."

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

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

Stating that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee said: "With that variety of support, after all, it encourages me and gives me the strong confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by quite a lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

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

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business middle to enjoying a narrower position as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration may be poorly geared up to reply to a major shock."

According to 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 and blunt its unfold. Town tightened restrictions further in February as new circumstances raged, however started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed because of a surge in Covid instances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the need to 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 govt

On the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he'll show the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for business.

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

"I make it a really clear level that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a crucial thing for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular travel with the mainland."

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

Lee also known as on citizens to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and stated the city will seek to boost its vaccination charge. According to government statistics, greater than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

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

"I extend my honest congratulations to Mr John Lee on his successful election," she said in a press release. "The current-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Govt-elect. We are going to render all the help needed for the belief of workplace by the brand new time period of government."

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