Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Government can be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the one candidate for Hong Kong's high post, has been elected to be Hong Kong's next chief executive.

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 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 brand new leader. Lee solely needed a simple majority to win.

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

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.K. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It is governed below the "one country, two systems" framework, and has restricted election rights and a mostly separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went via a serious overhaul final year after Beijing stated that solely so-called "patriots" needs to be allowed to control the city.

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

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

Stating that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that number of assist, of course, it encourages me and offers me the sturdy confidence that my course is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a note last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's selection of Lee as the following Hong Kong leader.

"The choice of Lee, a career police officer who performed a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's top precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety slightly than preserving its position as a dynamic international hub," they said.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world financial and business middle to playing a narrower position 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 equipped to answer a serious shock."

In keeping 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 try to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new cases raged, however started easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the should be accessible to the world. And likewise 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 executive

At the press conference, Lee was additionally requested how he will show the international community that Hong Kong is open for business.

"Sure, we have now challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and among the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear point that I am very aware of the should be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume normal journey with the mainland."

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

Lee also referred to as on citizens to comply with the recommendation and measures of the federal government, and said the town will search to spice up its vaccination rate. In accordance with authorities statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have obtained their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have received their second dose.

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

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

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.