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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Photos

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

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's high put up, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee forged their votes to select the brand new chief. Lee only wanted a simple 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 area of China which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the former colony to Beijing. It's ruled below the "one country, two systems" framework, and has limited election rights and a principally separate authorized and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by a major overhaul last year after Beijing mentioned that solely so-called "patriots" must be allowed to control the city.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his efficiency might be "challenged by the dearth 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."

"Anybody, who based on the regulation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Mentioning that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that number of assist, after all, it encourages me and provides me the robust confidence that my direction is agreed and shared by a whole lot of election committee members."

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

Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

"The selection of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one role within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is maintaining political safety rather than preserving its function as a dynamic world hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a worldwide monetary and business middle to taking part in a narrower function as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts said. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a serious shock."

According to 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 and blunt its unfold. The town tightened restrictions further in February as new cases raged, but began easing barely in late April.

The election was earlier postponed attributable to a surge in Covid instances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a really clear point that I'm very acutely aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And likewise it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief govt

At the press convention, Lee was additionally requested how he will present the worldwide community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

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

"I make it a really clear point that I'm very conscious 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 journey with the mainland."

He said he will be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the conditions that can be required for normal journey to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the city will search to spice up its vaccination rate. In line with authorities 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 govt Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

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

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