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

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

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

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

Lee, the only 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 cast their votes to pick out the new leader. 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, 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's governed under 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 via a major overhaul final yr after Beijing stated that only so-called "patriots" ought to be allowed to control the town.

At a press convention after his election, Lee was asked if his efficiency 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 based on the regulation is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered greater than 1,400 votes, Lee mentioned: "With that variety of support, in fact, it encourages me and gives me the robust 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 the town's next chief govt.

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

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

"The number of Lee, a profession police officer who performed a number one position in the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that began in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety relatively 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 enterprise heart to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "Whereas the risks to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly equipped to reply to a major shock."

In line 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, but began easing barely in late April.

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

I make it a very clear point that I am very conscious of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is a vital thing for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal travel with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief government

On the press convention, Lee was additionally asked how he will show the international community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Sure, now we have challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and a number of the measures are indeed creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a very clear level that I am very aware of the need to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He said he shall be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to seek out out what are the situations that might be required for normal travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee also known as on residents to follow the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned the city will seek to spice up its vaccination fee. Based on authorities statistics, greater than 91% of the inhabitants 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 government Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

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

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